Whilst at school children are encouraged to take up extracurricular activities, like athletics and debating. It offers them the chance to develop new skills and those not covered at school. They usually take place around the school day, at lunch or after school which can add structure to their day. It's also an opportunity for them to make friends and meet children who share similar interests. If you would like to learn about the benefits of extracurricular activities for children, here are some that were shared with us by an independent school in Surrey.

A group of girls playing football — Credit: Unsplash.

Exploration

There’s a lot that’s not covered in the curriculum, so extracurricular activities can help children in exploring these areas and finding themselves. They can learn about what they like, dislike and where their strengths lie.

Developing Social Skills

Extracurricular activities provide opportunities for children to interact with peers outside of the classroom setting. Whether it's participating in team sports, joining a club, or attending music lessons, these activities help children develop social skills such as communication, teamwork, cooperation, and leadership.

Extracurricular activities offer opportunities for children to meet and form friendships with peers who share similar interests and passions. These friendships can provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging that can last a lifetime.

Something to Look Forward to

It also gives them something to look forward to at school which can help with their attendance and punctuality. It’s nice for the focus to not always be on academic subjects.

Cultivating Creativity

Extracurricular activities such as art, music, drama, and creative writing provide outlets for children to express their creativity and imagination. These activities encourage children to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and express themselves in meaningful ways.

Perseverance, Resilience and Organisation

Engaging in extracurricular activities teaches children valuable life skills such as perseverance, resilience, and grit. Whether it's overcoming challenges, facing setbacks, or pushing through difficult times, these experiences help children develop the resilience and determination needed to succeed in life. Balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities also teaches children valuable time management and organization skills. By juggling multiple commitments and deadlines, children learn how to prioritize tasks, manage their time effectively, and stay organized.

Prospects

Extracurricular activities can also make a CV more attractive. It shows that they have interests and that they are dedicated enough to pursue them. For children who lack work experience, it can be a great way for them to showcase their skills and competencies. When applying to university for example, there will be many applicants that they will be up against, and an extracurricular activity can help them stand out.

Improve Academic Performance

Research has shown that children who participate in extracurricular activities tend to perform better academically. These activities help children develop skills such as concentration, discipline, and problem-solving, which can contribute to academic success.

Confidence

If your child lacks confidence, it might be something worth considering as they will be able to find something that they’re good at and meet other children in the process. It will give them the opportunity to develop social skills and push themselves outside of their comfort zone.

Extracurricular activities provide valuable experiences and skills that can help children succeed in the future. Whether it's developing leadership skills, networking with peers and mentors, or gaining real-world experience, these activities help children build a strong foundation for future success.

These benefits are great of course but what you should be mindful of is that you’re not overloading your child or forcing them into anything. Pushing your child into things that they don’t like or have no desire to pursue will ultimately be a waste of time and effort which could be spent elsewhere.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.