Extra-curricular activities are a staple part of after-school and weekend life for many school-aged children all across the country. But what do these activities really offer aside from draining your bank account?
Extra-Curricular Activities: What Are They?
Extra-curricular activities are groups and clubs that happen outside of the typical school day or do not follow the curriculum. They are supposed to enhance childhood and additionally, for those about to apply for a university course, apprenticeship or job, taking part in such activities can demonstrate certain favourable attributes.
Extra-Curricular Activities: What Can A Child Do?
Most schools offer lunchtime and/or after-school clubs. Additionally, there are also private clubs. Usually, the latter cost more. However, they are often run from specialists in a particular field.
Sports
From swimming to football, ice skating to gymnastics, there really is something for everyone when it comes to finding extra-curricular activities linked to sport. Some also offer vital life skills, such as swimming, which can not only help your child to know what to do if they are in trouble in the water but also how to help rescue others. If your child has a physical disability or additional needs, there are more opportunities these days than a decade or two ago. However, if the club you see does not cater for an extra adult to support, it may be worthwhile looking at whether you can spend any of your short breaks allocation towards something like this.
Academic
In addition to taking part in these lessons at school, academic clubs also exist to further pique your child’s interest and without the necessity of having a specific learning objective and outcome. For example, science club could be all about experiments without having to undertake the rigorous steps necessary for ensuring a fair test, which they will learn and be expected to follow in everyday lessons. Likewise, a history-based club could involve getting involved with local community groups, interviewing locals about their experiences during a particular period of history and generally getting stuck in.
Community
It’s often heard that someone does a particular activity in order to ‘give something back’, and if that sounds up your child’s street, then a community group might be for them. Regular litter picks, charity fundraising or keeping the local gardens tidy are a few examples.
Creative
From choir to drama, clothes designing to art, there is often a wide range of creative activities available both in school and within your local community. Many famous actors first appeared in a local pantomime and it’s never too young to create artwork to feature in a local exhibition.
Extra-Curricular Activities: Are They Really Important?
For many children, their friendship groups are dictated by their peers at school. Getting involved in clubs or groups will allow them to broaden their horizons and become acquainted with a wider variety of people.
Additionally, extra-curricular clubs allow the development of certain skills and can help to boost confidence as the environment can be less pressured (of course, this does all depend on the type).
I firmly believe that clubs and groups can offer a lot to a child. However, if they are to the detriment of quality time with family at home and putting the household into financial difficulty, it is not worthwhile.
My Experiences
As a young teen, I became involved in a weekly group called the Phoenix Club (nothing to do with Peter Kay, unfortunately!). It was pretty much a youth group, but through this, I learnt the basics of British Sign Language (BSL) and I had a much more diverse group of people around me.
Each summer, I would help to host a summer camp for children from the local school for the deaf and members of the club. Each Christmas, we would learn carols and Christmas songs in BSL and perform to fundraise. I went on trips to theme parks and museums. In fact, I am still in touch with a few special people from those days.
I tried tap as a primary-aged pupil and didn’t like it. I got my Grade 1 cello and learnt some songs on the keyboard. I took part in swimming lessons and also joined the church choir. I didn’t enjoy or stick to anything really.
Ultimately, it took me a while longer to find something that did shape my life and had an impact on my future. But that’s ok. I’m pleased I eventually did!
