Extracurricular activities: benefits per area for children

Children have to go with enthusiasm to the extracurricular activities, without feeling pressured. In addition, we must not forget that extracurricular activities should promote personal development and have a certain playful component that differentiates them from conventional classes.

Psychopedagogue Mar García, of the Valencian Institute of Creative Pedagogy, assures that "it is important that when choosing extracurricular activity the parents propose a restricted offer of two or three options which are chosen according to the child's tastes, but also comfort: "If the child loves fencing, but fencing is taught on the other side of the city, and that is going to be a family disorder, it does not make sense to offer it "


In order for extracurricular activities to fulfill their function, the child must be motivated, and not become just an obligation. It's very important know the character and personality of our son. "If we have a more nervous child, who finds it more difficult to be still - considering that it is not about hyperactivity -, generally, what he will like most is going to be a sports activity", says the expert. "It could be that he would like chess more, but it's weird, since chess involves the child sitting for a sustained time."

Another question you should be involved in is how long you will have to attend that activity. If it is a quarter, or a full school year. "As far as possible, if the children are younger (first grade of primary school), it might be more advisable to make a quarterly registration," recommends the expert, "in case we have the bad luck that the child does not like "


Extracurricular activities: how to make a good choice

When too much is demanded of the children it can be harmful. It is important not to over-program children. You have to establish priorities, because there must be time to play, have fun, walk, draw, ...

It is necessary to avoid choosing the extracurricular activities that the parents would have liked to do, so that the child is not forced to fulfill the dreams or expectations of the adults.

You have to encourage them hobbies and hobbies, but it must be something that is pleasing and motivating for the child, or it will indicate fatigue at the time of the study.

It must be tried that the extracurricular activities take away time from television, tablet or computer instead of removing it from play or from family coexistence.

The time that children have after finishing their school day gives us the opportunity to encourage their imagination and fantasy through extracurricular activities based on visual and performing arts. Through activities such as dancing, theater, drawing or playing the guitar, children learn to express themselves with the world and to enjoy their achievements and advances.


Creative extracurricular activities

Theater: he helps his learning with the memorization of dialogues, he learns to know how to listen to himself and others, he increases his sensitivity and knows how to value the work of the other, he increases the spontaneity, flexibility and self-confidence of the children.

The drawing: It establishes the foundations of his personality, exercises the imagination, develops his creative capacities, obtains a greater capacity when making correct decisions and with creativity.

Music: activates the senses, promotes body expression, vocal and instrumental education, enhances the ability to improvise, motivates personal effort, develops sensitivity, creativity, expressiveness, coordination.

Intellectual extracurricular activities

Languages: Learning other languages ​​is an excellent way to fill out after school hours. You will have fun learning, will speed up your mind and your memory. The child will end up developing intellectual skills and will obtain socio-cultural, economic and health benefits.

Chess: Chess is a sport for two players and one of the games that involves an art, a science and a mental challenge. It is one of the table games that requires greater agility and is a huge intellectual stimulus for any child.

Computing: With the advancement of technology, computers have become an essential and essential part of daily life and work. On the Internet there are hundreds of pages and videos that we can observe with our children and that will help their education in a fun and entertaining way. Introducing children in the world of computer science will allow them to develop with ease from a young age.

Sports extracurricular activities

- Group sports they will help especially the most timid children, it will help them to relate with others. Group sports require some communication with the rest of the team.

- Individual sports, such as karate, swimming * require some coordination that will help favor the psychomotor skills of children.

Isabel Martínez
Advice:Mar García, Psychopedagogue of the Valencian Institute of Creative Pedagogy

Video: How To Save on After School Kids' Activities | CloudMom


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