Topic of the month - Mastering life skills... outside the classroom
With unlimited advantages for society’s youngest members, early years education is held in high regard. Especially by those with children that have reaped - or are currently reaping - the benefits. Ranging immensely from social and emotional growth, to laying academic groundwork and providing support around developmental milestones. Plus fun! Let’s not forget fun!
But without undermining the essential place early childhood education holds in the lives of young children, it should be said that not everything can be taught at school. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day! Luckily, educational opportunities are all around us. There are activities galore to choose from within most local communities (*within reason… not every child will make the ski team, unless they’re lucky enough to live in a snowy area of the world!) So it’s worth some exploration to see which activities are out there, and exactly what their benefits are. Therefore ensuring your child gains invaluable skills that will stay with them for life.
Advantages of extracurricular activities
Children who have the opportunity to participate in a number of extracurricular activities outside of daycare or preschool - like sport, music or drama - are open to a whole range of benefits. This can include -
Building skills
In addition to building skills within a specific area, extracurricular activities are great for developing general skills - both academic and general life skills - like debating for public speaking or sport for teamwork. Balancing a number of activities can help improve time management skills. Perseverance teaches a child that if they stick at something and keep practicing, they’ll improve and finding an activity a child excels at can boost self-confidence.
Getting physical
Weekly activities offer children the chance to get outside in the fresh air and get some essential exercise. Keeping fit and ensuring things like gross motor skills are developed, is essential for holistic growth. It can also have the added benefit limiting time spent in front of a TV or screen.
New interests
While traditional education offers a wide range of learning areas, extracurricular activities allow children to explore an interest in depth. Perhaps even finding a completely new area of interest that they would never have been exposed to otherwise.
Social opportunities
Being part of a team offers your child a sense of belonging and the opportunity to interact amongst children with similar interests. There’s the potential to build new friendships or social circles outside of daycare or preschool, and learning to make friends is a life skill that everyone needs.
Teamwork
Whether it’s a consolidated team, or a group like swim club where everyone competes separately but cheers their mates on, teamwork is a skill that is useful for all stages of life. Learning about encouragement, support, turn-taking, or diplomatically knowing when to step back if the situation requires it, teamwork in an extracurricular activity can be great practice for future situations at school or work.
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