Did you learn an instrument, sing, dance or play a sport as a child? Did you stop these activities during the “important, board exam years.” Did you regret that decision?
There has always been a debate about the importance of extracurricular activities in a student’s life. Sometimes, these activities are seen as optional, or not as important as academic activities. Very often, children stop doing extra-curricular activities in adolescence, just when they are achieving expertise in a particular activity. Children who find academics more difficult may never be given a chance to participate in extracurricular activities. Instead, they are told to spend time finishing homework, attending tuitions or studying at home which would help them score better in exams.
However, exams and performance in reviews are not the only way to measure student learning. Children deserve to have access to activities that promote all-round development, as well as time to develop skills outside of academics. However, parents may be worried about how to balance these activities with academic preparation. They may also wonder if the time spent on these activities will negatively impact students’ academic performance.
At Ekya Schools and CMR K-12, we understand these struggles. To help you navigate these discussions with your children as well as other parenting challenges, the team at Ekya Schools and CMR K-12 have put together an online course called Informed and Engaged. The course is on Powerschool and we publish a new module each month. Each module is differentiated by age group, as we understand that children of different ages have different needs. To find the course, please login to your child’s Powerschool account and click on the class titled “Informed and Engaged.”
This month we have published a module titled Extracurricular Activities, focusing on extracurricular activities and their importance in the holistic development of a child. It explores how extracurricular activities can complement the learning happening in classrooms. The module also focuses on additional benefits of extracurricular activities including building resilience; physical, emotional and social growth; and the development of creativity, decision-making skills, and teamwork. The course also contains curated resources which will help parents get a deeper understanding of the importance of extracurricular activities in a child’s life.
You are welcome to share your feedback with us through the feedback form embedded within the module.
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