Although students need to perform basic academic work to learn during the early years, extra-curricular opportunities are also important for a well-rounded education. Learn what types of opportunities are typically available in elementary schools to find the best options for your youngsters.
Science Fairs
Science fairs are organized programs designed to give students an opportunity to learn about science, mathematics, and engineering. This program involves the students’ selection of projects that appeal to individual interests. Students can gain valuable experience, knowledge, and skills as they explore a specific area of study for a project. Students also learn how to conduct experiments and investigations, documenting activities and arriving at hypotheses based on observations and outcomes. It’s also common for science fairs to involve scholarship opportunities for children who place successfully with their projects.
Plays and Musicals
Elementary schools that provide drama education for students can give them a variety of positive benefits. Students gain self-confidence by performing in front of an audience of peers and parents. Children also gain experience in making creative choices, thinking of innovative ideas, collaborating with others, communicating ideas both verbally and nonverbally, and memorizing movements and words. The emotional outlet that drama provides to children can be beneficial, also, as they have an opportunity to release negative emotions such as anger in a controlled environment. Many children enjoy the process of participating in plays and musicals, finding it relaxing and fun. These youngsters often find that their participation relieves stress and improves motivation to excel in other areas of study.
Sports
When elementary schools offer sports programs to youngsters, young athletes can receive a number of benefits. Children may learn important socialization skills when they participate in sports programs, and this helps them form a broader network of connections. The physical activity of participating in sports can provide important exercise opportunities for youngsters. This may help with weight management in the short-term, and it may help institute long-term health habits that can keep young people healthy throughout their lives. Kids can also learn specific sports skills. Children who participate in sports may have better attendance and higher grades than non-athletes. This may be because athletes learn the importance of hard work and determination to succeed, which can translate to success both on and off the field of play.
Music
A musical education helps to develop the brain of young people, resulting in expanded reasoning and language abilities. With musical education integrated into academic programs, the left side of children’s brains develops an expanded circuitry that enables them to process language more adeptly. Critical thinking may even receive an important boost from musical education, enabling youngsters to excel in math and science. Kids may even perform more successfully on standardized tests and achieve higher grades overall when they receive musical training.
After learning the benefits of extracurricular activities for students in elementary schools, take steps to ensure that your children can receive these opportunities during their learning careers. Watching your offspring participate in these activities can be rewarding for you, also.
