Are Children's Activities Essential? Professionals in Therapy, Coaching, and Education Share Their Views
Engaging Question: Should We Pack Our Kid's Calendar with Activities, or Leave Room for Spontaneity? A Practical Look from a Therapist, Coach, and Educator
It starts with a group chat among parents: Soccer sign-ups are coming up next week, who's joining? You ponder over replying, then pause. Isn't school enough? My kid's already signed up for Taekwondo. Or do they need more, more?
Is cramming children with extracurriculars really beneficial? Or should they simply be free to explore and solve their own issues of boredom in the great outdoors? We sat down with three experts - a therapist, a tennis coach, and an early education specialist - to get the lowdown on what's worth the investment...and what isn't.
Grab a Coffee and Keep Reading
Tackling the Dilemma
Outside of the soccer field or the school hallways, extracurricular activities play a significant role in shaping a child's development. But do these additional activities truly add value, or should children be encouraged to roam and self-discover? We delve into the pros and cons as seen through the eyes of a therapist, a coach, and an educator.
The Balancing Act
Perspective of a Therapist
- Emotional Mastery: Extracurricular activities provide children with a platform to express and manage their emotions in a supportive environment. This, in turn, bolsters their coping mechanisms and strengthens resilience[2].
- Social Connections: Through collaboration and teamwork, children practice essential social skills such as cooperation, empathy, and communication, fostering strong bonds[1][2].
Coach's Point of View
- Physical Fitness and Discipline: Sports and physical activities foster development in motor coordination and overall fitness[2]. Coaches emphasize the importance of discipline and grit in sports, instilling values that can be applied to various aspects of life[5].
- Teamwork and Leadership: Engaging in sports enables children to hone teamwork skills and develop qualities such as decision-making and leadership[1][5].
Educator's Insight
- Academic Growth: Extracurricular activities often contribute to improved academic performance. This is a result of stronger focus, discipline, and study habits[5].
- Comprehensive Development: Educators stress the significance of extracurricular activities in nurturing a well-rounded education, encompassing essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking[1][5].
The Greatest Benefits
- Heightened Confidence: Obtaining success in extracurricular activities builds children's confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to overcome their fears and adopt a can-do attitude[1].
- Professional and Life Skills: Extracurricular activities prepare children for future careers by cultivating skills like time management, adaptability, and emotional intelligence[3][5].
Overall, well-chosen extracurricular activities play a pivotal role in shaping children into multi-talented, well-rounded individuals equipped with strong social, emotional, and academic foundations.
Engaging in science-based learning opportunities can help children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, reinforcing the education-and-self-development aspect.
Health-and-wellness activities, alongside traditional sports and physical education, can facilitate the holistic development of children, promoting emotional mastery, physical fitness, and mental resilience as seen through the therapist's and coach's perspectives. Additionally, parenting can benefit from the knowledge gained by proactively choosing and managing appropriate extracurricular activities for children, thereby fostering their learning and growth.
