The benefits of extracurricular activities for children
*This is a collaborative post
Skills developed at a young age can aid to the foundation of person’s character. This is why school’s as well as parent’s, do their very best to teach their young one’s the necessary skills that will help them excel in further education and into the workforce too. However, schools and home can’t always teach a child every single skill needed, given that some children need extra support or may not have easy access to it. This is where extracurricular activities come in. They offer further support that can aid to improved mental health and more. Here is some advice from a private nursery in Surrey on the benefits of extracurricular activities for children.
At around the age of 5, children begin to develop the understanding and capability to be able to take on a little bit more in education. Schools provide after school clubs that allow children to further explore their interests in certain areas that they may only touch on in school hours. Some of the most popular ones are sports clubs, academic competitions and even performing arts. These allow a child to develop skills that are underlying and discover a whole new side to themselves. On top of that, a lot of these clubs are led by teaching discipline as well as a new skill.
It motivates children to take part in physical activities. Doctors always stress how important it is to exercise no matter your age or size. It is known to help both physical and mental health and should be incorporated into everyday life. Extracurricular activities like gymnastics, sports or even dance, gets children moving and active without even realising. Better for parents, children actually sleep better when they take part in a good amount of aerobic exercise which allows a nice quiet night with your partner in peace!
Allowing children, the chance to decide what they would like to invest their time and energy into when it comes to these after school activities, gives them a sense of independence and sets them on a road for strong social skill building. Competitions and teamwork will give the child a sense of belonging and will motivate them to work harder for something they feel proud to be a part of.
Improvement of self-esteem is a no-brainer. Being able to demonstrate their skills and taking part in big competitions can lead a child to make decisions for their future if they feel they see a career in it. This also makes a person more optimistic by believing in themselves and knowing their worth and capability which aids to better mental health too.
