It is a fact that ‘All work and no play can make not only Jack but any child dull’. Children need to pursue activities alongside studies for their overall grooming and development. And it is very important to ensure that they get enough time for some extra-curricular activities and sports along with reading their school books.

Of course, academics are a vital part of a child’s school years as the grades acquired in school plays an important role for further studies in college. And so many parents encourage their children to spend more time in studies as compared to doing other activities to pursue their academic goals. However, the fact is, participating or pursuing an extra-curricular activity enables the child to become more confident, while boosting his/her thinking and social skills.

Importance of Extracurricular activities

• Help children to excel in Leadership skills: Most of the co-curricular activities allow children to develop leadership skills, which help the child later in life. Leading in sports or any other group activity helps a child to gain much confidence.
• Let the child build diverse experiences: Childhood days when the kid is in school is the best time to gain experiences. The diverse experiences in different fields help the child to look and understand things beyond their daily lives and activities. 
• Way to relieve academic stress: Co-curricular activities also help children release a lot of tension and stress of their academics. Children look forward to such activities as they help them to relax.
• Help develop talent: Of course, when your kid practices something he/she is interested in, it certainly helps in enhancing his/her talent. On many occasions, one could find a new career path also.
• Boosts Social Skills: Children get to interact with their peers through active participation in various activities and it helps in boosting their social learning.

Various Wings of Extra-Curricular Activities

There are many different branches or wings of extra-curricular activities available for children to opt for.

• Musical Talent: If your child is bestowed with rhymes and tones, encourage them for activities like learning an instrument, taking singing lessons and so on.
• Artistic bent of mind: If your kid has artistic talent and can visualize fine details, encourage him/her to pursue art like painting, photography, animation or sculpture etc
• Linguistic Talent: If reading, writing or storytelling is something that your child enjoys, you may allow him/her to pursue activities like learning a new language, taking creative writing lessons or joining debate clubs and so on.
• Good coordination of body: If your child is capable of moving his/her body skillfully in great coordination, he/she may be great at activities like dancing, martial arts, gymnastics and so on.
• Sports: If your kid is inclined towards a sport with a passion, let the child practice it and help in boosting his/her sport skills.

Besides, there are many other interesting activities that children can follow as per their interests and skill set, such as, practicing yoga, taking up gardening, joining acting or dramatics and much more. 

Role of Parents

Generally, most schools offer a range of activities for your kid to choose from as per their interest and skills. As parents, all you can do is to motivate and support your children to make the right choice of activity to learn. You can also support your children with proper resources, time, and the right guidance. Besides, you can help them to get out of their comfort zone and participate in activities and gain more and more exposure and confidence.

Opportunity for career choices

Nothing can be as good as having your hobby or interest as your career. Yes, if you are good at the interest or hobby that you pursue, you can very well make it your career choice.

Moreover, in many fields, co-curricular activities are emphasized on by employers while choosing the right candidates for jobs. So, the more exposure and talent you have, the better the opportunity to make your resume strong.

Co-curricular activities also help students for college entrance and higher studies. Many colleges give due importance to extra certificates and talents before giving admissions to students.

  Thus, children should be given more opportunities to nurture their talent and interest as it has numerous fruitful effects in the short as well as long term.