How Extracurricular Activities Can Boost Academic Performance

For most parents, there’s more to the day than work and school. Many children are also involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, whether that’s clubs, sports, music, dance, or other interests. It can be tricky to balance everything, but letting kids participate in extracurriculars can actually benefit them in school. In addition to spending time doing something they enjoy, they’re building a plethora of lifelong skills.

· Time Management

When afternoons or evenings are spent at soccer practice or chess club, kids quickly learn that they must manage their time effectively in order to get everything done. Create a schedule for when homework and studying occur. Help your child plan out projects in advance so they can work on a little bit each day.

· Team Work/Socialization

Being part of a team not only helps children to make new friends, but they learn how to work as part of a team. Everyone’s contributions matter, and they must work together effectively to achieve results. When it comes time for group assignments or projects in school, they’re more adept at listening to others’ ideas and delegating tasks.

· Critical Thinking

Whether learning a new dance routine, figuring out how to score a goal, or coming up with a counter argument for debate team, there are bound to be challenges. But children learn not to give up and to develop solutions to overcome these obstacles. They look at problems in a new way, which can empower them to be more successful in school. There are often many paths that can lead to the end goal.

· Resilience

In sports, dance, gymnastics, chess, or even coding, your child likely will not always be the best or come in first. Sometimes they’ll win, and sometimes they’ll lose. But this builds their resilience and determination. They realize that they tried their best and so did everyone else, or maybe that they need to spend some more time practicing. It’s not the end of the world, and tomorrow is another day. The same applies to school. They may not always get the answer right, receive a perfect score, or get their first choice, but that doesn’t have to ruin their day or keep them down. It will also help build their self-esteem when things do go right!

· Adaptability

The score of a game can change in the blink of an eye. A teammate can get sick or injured. Your child might have to play a different position or be asked to take on other responsibilities. But they figure out how to do it. They adjust and keep pushing forward. They adapt to a change in the routine. Life is unpredictable. They can use these same skills whether at school, home, practice, or competition.

It’s important for kids to be involved in things that interest and motivate them. Learning to balance school and extracurriculars can set them up for success later in life when they go to college or get a job. If they are struggling to stay organized, manage their time, effectively prepare for exams, or master that tough topic in math, Crafting Scholars can help. With personalized tutoring, they can get support in the areas they need in order to be more successful. Contact us today to learn more or sign up!