The US Department of Health and Human Services recommend that a child gets at least one hour of physical activity a day. Although backyard time would qualify, structured play like that found with extracurricular activities will assure that your kids are getting a decent workout. It is not just the health benefits to consider from enrolling in extracurricular activities, but also all the mental and social skills they’ll be learning. Those social skills learned on the field can come back to support them later in life. Here’s what your kids can pick up by engaging in extracurricular activities.
Leadership
Every team needs a captain, which is the player that all the other players look toward for guidance and encouragement. A child who becomes a team captain can develop the skills of watching over that team and assessing everyone’s strengths. They’ll be setting the tone for the team in regard to behavior. If the captain isn’t fooling around, then neither is anyone else. Some children rise to the position of captain naturally through their personality or athletic prowess. The best extracurricular activity programs allow for rotating captains so that each child gets a chance to experience what it means to be the team leader.
Teamwork
Extracurricular activities provide a way to explore new activities and for kids to have fun exercising. All throughout those activities, teamwork will become one of the most important fundamentals that will be taught, which will prepare a child for success. Building a team is all about building trust among the team members, and that works both ways. When trust is given, it is earned. By understanding the dynamics of how a team must work together to achieve a common goal, a child can be prepared for success later in life. Every company is a team.
Broader Social Circle
Many kids make friends by proximity. The child who lives down the block or sits next to them in class will often become their best friend for life. When engaging in extracurricular activities, a child has the opportunity to meet even more potential friends. Everyone who participates in the activities will share their own interests in the sport and introduce each other to all kinds of new ideas. This is where the importance of networking gets fostered. Signing up for extracurricular activities isn’t just about winning. In fact, a child can learn more from losing. The idea is for them to play their best. What more could you ask for from your children?