Are you thinking about signing your kids up for extracurricular activities?
Children often benefit from having structured time after school. In the United States, 86% of children ages 6-17 are involved in an extracurricular activity. This means your child has the chance to make lots of connections while they pursue the interests they love.
Below, we’ll get into 5 of the unique benefits of extracurricular activities for children. Keep reading to learn more about why you need to enroll your child!
- Sharpen Their Social Skills
Children learn about interacting with the world through contact with a wide variety of people. When they join an extracurricular activity, your child will have the chance to interact with people from different backgrounds.
They’ll pick up skills related to working with others and maybe even make some friends. They’ll also learn the value of teamwork.
- Learn About Their Interests
One of the advantages of extracurricular activities is that they give children the chance to learn more about a topic.
If the extracurricular activity involves a coach or director, they’ll get the chance to learn from an expert on the subject. Sometimes, the information they absorb in extracurricular activities can lead to scholarships or contribute to their future careers!
- Take Breaks from School
Many school-aged children follow a schedule that isn’t designed for their well-being. Getting up early in the morning, doing school all day, having hours of homework, and then going to bed late isn’t good for their academic or physical health.
In fact, studies show that children perform best when they have breaks in their day. Most extracurricular activities for kids take place right after school. This gives kids breathing room between a stressful academic day and their homework.
- Stay Active
Did you know children need about 60 minutes of exercise daily?
76% of American children do not get the recommended amount of exercise. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including those that last into adulthood. In fact, people who were healthy as children are more likely to live healthy adult lives.
Certain extracurriculars stress physical activity. So, your child can get their exercise in while having fun!
Try gymnastic classes if your child wants to get involved in athletics.
- Lower Social Anxiety
If your child suffers from social anxiety, the benefits of extracurricular activities may help.
Some therapists treat anxiety by exposing people to the things they’re afraid of in ways they can handle. Joining an extracurricular activity lets your child choose which social situations they want to be in. Then, they can reduce their anxiety by going in a consistent manner.
Want the Benefits of Extracurricular Activities?
Now that you know some of the benefits of extracurricular activities, consider enrolling your child in some.
Before you do so, ask your child which activities they prefer. Keep in mind that some extracurriculars come with costs. For instance, joining a hockey team requires you to pay for equipment and travel overnight for tournaments. Being honest with yourself about what your family can do will ensure your child stays in the activity for longer.
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