THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN EDUCATION

Some parents are of the erroneous opinion that extracurricular activities are a huge distraction to their children. They believe that participation in extracurricular activities would have negative effect on their children's academic progress. All these notions are, however, faulted and the reason for this wrong notion is simply lack of knowledge about the importance of extracurricular activities. If those parents know its benefits to their children, they might enjoin the school to make it a daily affair in their curriculum. The benefits of extracurricular activities are numerous, and it would be highlighted in the succeeding paragraphs.

First, what are extracurricular activities? They are activities done in the school which do not include academic works. They include sports, music, arts, dance, drama, debate and so on.. Extracurricular activities assist students to imbibe the culture of teamwork. It assists them to learn to work together to achieve a common goal. Collaborating with others to achieve a set objective would also impact on their social life. Their human relationship and interaction would be greatly enhanced.

Another benefit of extracurricular activities is the opportunity it offers students to learn the skill of time management. For students who desire to excel in both their academics and extracurricular activities, time management is a vital skill they must possess. Such students adhere strictly to their study time, and allow nothing, including extracurricular activities to encroach into that time. And when it is time for extracurricular activities, their academics would not interfere in anyway. They have learnt to strike a balance among academic works, extracurricular activities, domestic works and school assignments.

It has been proven that extracurricular activities do not negatively affect the academic performance of students. It has huge positive impacts on the academic performance of students. Participation in activities such as debate, spelling bee, scrabble and chess are no doubt beneficial to the students' academic progress.

Participation in extracurricular activities also offers the students the opportunity to learn life skills that are not regularly taught in the classroom, such as how to be humble in both victory and loss, how not to be a sore loser, how not to taunt one's conquered opponent,  how to always display the true spirit of sportmanship and so.

Furthermore, extracurricular activities in school offers the students the opportunity to learn new skills and ignite new passions. Learning a musical instrument, robotics, swimming, photography, painting and drawing can prove to be skills that would be of colossal benefits to the students in the future.

Participation in extracurricular activities also boosts the students' morale and confidence. Students who are academically weak or small in stature might excel in drama, playing of musical instruments, sports and so on. Excellence in these activities would no doubt improve their self-esteem, and boost their morale and confidence.

With the uncommon and ingenious thinkers in great demand by the greatest employers in the world, it is palpable that it would become very difficult for conventional thinkers to secure lucrative jobs sooner or later. However, extracurricular activities spur students to bring out their creative abilities.It encourages them to think in a variety of ways. Participation in painting and drawing, drama, photography, sports and so enables them to be creative, which rubs off in other areas including academics.

It is very significant to state that extracurricular activities in schools  assist students to discover their talents, and also develop it. Many talented footballers, chess players and thespians in the world today were first discovered and developed in schools.

The significance of extracurricular activities in schools cannot be overemphasized. Hence, schools and parents must encourage their children, and endeavour to strike a balance between it and academic works.