Gone were the days when the education world used to revolve around classrooms and textbooks only. Development is not limited to good grades; it also includes intellectual, physical, emotional, and social progress.
Therefore, schools now focus on a well-rounded approach that covers the overall growth of a child.
Co-curricular activities go beyond the classroom, offering students a platform to explore their interests, showcase their talent, and find their passion for life. Such learnings that happen outside the four walls provide skills and confidence.
Haryana Public School understands the importance of co-curricular activities and actively promotes various co-curricular activities that help children develop their minds and prepare them for the real world.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand why are extracurricular activities important in school education.
Co-curricular Vs Extracurricular
Parents and children often get confused or ignore the slight difference between Co-curricular and Extracurricular activities. Since both activities serve different purposes in a child’s growth, it is important to know their actual meanings.
Let’s understand the difference between co-curricular and extracurricular activities, so that your child can be clear with their choices and decisions.
- Co-curricular activities are a blend of academics and creativity. Such activities are Public speaking, Debate & Literary clubs, Science experiments, Art exhibitions, Music, and Drama. These activities help children develop multiple skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork.
- Extracurricular activities, on the other hand, are not academically oriented. Extracurricular activities only focus on physical and mental growth through sports and activities like cricket, basketball, soccer, etc, and social activities like internships, community service, and volunteer work.
Read Also: Annual Events And Competitions at HPS: Nurturing Talent & Team Spirit
However, both types of activities serve different purposes but for a shared goal: growth.
Types Of Co-curricular Activities
Co-curricular activities play a very important role in the overall development of a child. These activities help children develop essential qualities like intellectual thinking, communication, social skills, and leadership skills.
Let’s understand the different types of co-curricular activities, so that your child can be aware of all the possibilities in which they can build their interest.
- Academic Clubs: Academic clubs initiate mindful activities like quizzes, debate competitions, science fairs, and more. Since these activities are academically rich, they develop critical thinking, research skills, and problem-solving ability in children.
- Cultural Activities: Participation in cultural activities like dance, music, drama, art & craft empowers creativity and imagination. In addition, children develop lifelong confidence in speaking and performing in front of others.
- Sports & Physical Activities: Sports like football, cricket, basketball, badminton, martial arts, and swimming increase physical fitness, stamina, and build sportsmanship among children. This makes them emotionally strong and quick decision makers.
- Community & Social Service: Volunteering in the community and social service, such as NSS, orphanages and old age homes, and government schools, helps children develop empathy, moral value, and a sense of contribution to society.
- Technology & Innovation Clubs: Modern schools like HPS understand the value of technical skills for future careers. Hence, prepare students for the upcoming technologies through co-curricular activities like coding classes, innovation fairs, and logical reasoning etc.
- Creative Arts: HPS focuses on overall development of students and engage them in painting, music, dance, drama, and crafts to enhance creativity, self-expression, and overall artistic development.
Benefits of extracurricular activities
When we talk about the benefits of extracurricular activities, they cover all essential areas that are required for the overall personality development of a child. Whether it is academic, personal, or personal growth, extracurricular activities make a child emotionally intelligent and smart.
If you are wondering why are extracurricular activities important for your child?
Here’s a brief explanation for your understanding.
- Academic Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
Parents often assume that the benefits of extracurricular activities revolve around physical growth only. But it has many academic advantages as well. Extracurricular activities boost critical thinking, empower skills like discipline, time management, and overall management. Hence, resulting in better performance in exams.
- Personal Development Benefits
Extracurricular activities help children develop qualities like confidence, fluent communication, and self-esteem. Such qualities shape the personality of children, helping them grow in school and personal life as well.
- Physical and Mental Health Benefits
Physical activities like sports and yoga keep students super active and fit. Whereas meditation practices help children reduce and manage stress, improving their sleep quality and energy levels. Hence, participation in extracurricular activities gives them strength and physical and mental benefits.
Read Also: Balancing Studies, Sports, and Culture – The All-Round Development at HPS
How Schools Can Promote Co-Curricular Activities
Children below the age of 18 spend the most productive years of their lives in schools. To enhance this productivity, schools promote various co-curricular and extracurricular activities and encourage children to participate in art, dance, music, drama, and physical activities like cricket, basketball, badminton, martial arts, and more.
When schools treat these activities equally important as academics and give children the freedom to choose, they learn with more dedication and happiness and do not think of school as a burden.
If you are also looking for a cbse school in Narnaul, Haryana that doesn’t burden children with textbooks, exams and promotes various extracurricular activities, then Haryana Public School is an ideal choice for your child.
For more information, visit https://www.hpsnarnaul.co.in/
FAQ’S: Importance of co-curricular activities
What are co-curricular activities in schools?
Co-curricular activities are a combination of academics and creativity. Such activities like quizzes, projects, science fairs, cultural events and more.
What is importance of co-curricular activities for students?
Co-curricular activities help students develop various soft skills like communication, team work, time management and leadership qualities.
How do co-curricular activities benefit academic performance?
Co-curricular activities improve focus, communication and provide practical knowledge. Hence, resulting in better academic performance.
Can co-curricular activities help in career development?
Yes, the importance of co curricular activities cannot be ignored as they help students explore interests in various fields, build resumes, and develop soft skills.
How can schools encourage participation in co-curricular activities?
Schools can provide resources, organize events, and motivate children to participate in co-curricular activities.