Author: Pranitha P

Think about an introverted child who never used to mingle with anybody in the class. Her teacher encouraged her to join the music club. And to everybody’s surprise, she turned out to be a melody queen. She overcame her stage fear and became much more confident and an essential part of the school’s music troupe.

That’s the magic of extracurricular activities. Whether it is music, sports, arts, drama, or debate club, these completely transform a child’s personality and give a fresh perspective on life.

In this blog, we will comprehend the definition of extracurricular activities, their types, advantages, and significance for kids.

What are Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurricular activities are all the things students do outside their regular academic curriculum which are engaging and enjoyable.

Children should be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities after school to help them grow in multiple ways beyond academics. This way children learn to balance studies and activities beautifully, enjoying every moment of learning.

Why are Extracurricular activities important for school children?

Enriching extracurricular activities are essential for school children because they provide benefits apart from traditional academics. They develop them into holistic individuals and teach them valuable life lessons.

The added benefit is that universities and potential employers want to see students succeed in extracurricular activities because it makes them well-rounded people who can multitask as team players. They have a significant role in learning and development!

Types of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities include many areas, such as drama clubs, sports, arts, music, dance, debate clubs, coding clubs, and even volunteering.

At Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam, children are offered an After-school program for kids that helps shape them as holistic individuals. Let us list them out here.

1. Classical Dance
2. Music
3. Theatre
4. Western Dance
5. Visual Arts

Children can enrol themselves in these activities based on their personal interests. While the After-school activities are optional the Creative Expressions program is during school hours.

Benefits of participating in Extracurricular activities

One of the main advantages of extracurricular activities is teaching kids discipline and resilience. These activities encourage kids to confront obstacles and overcome their worries, whether preparing for a competition, working on a group project, or performing in front of an audience.

Participation fosters the growth of a positive outlook and a strong work ethic, two qualities necessary for success in life.

Participating in extracurricular activities is the best thing that can happen to any student. The experience is thoroughly enjoyable and has many advantages.

Let’s take a closer look at 10 of those advantages.

1. Increased confidence and self-worth

Youngsters love exploring, and extracurricular activities encourage them to discover new things. They significantly increase their confidence and self-worth. Whether winning a game, competing, or leading a team, extracurricular activities help them become more motivated to succeed.

2. Comprehensive Growth

Holistic development is growth in all aspects, including intellect, body, and mind. Extracurricular activities foster a student’s creativity, leadership, social skills, and physical health. They develop kids into people prepared for real-life obstacles, not simply book smarts.

3. Personality Development

Participation in extracurricular activities shapes students’ personalities. They support their growth in self-assurance, communication, and leadership. They gain discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, whether running a club, participating in sports, or performing on stage. They become more flexible, expressive, and prepared to face the world.

4. Responsibility and Time Management

Juggling school, extracurricular activities, and personal lives teaches youngsters time management and responsibility. They learn to set priorities, adhere to deadlines, and maintain commitment. Children benefit from these experiences by being more organized and responsible in everything they do, whether practicing or finishing a job!

5. Better Decision-making

Children manage situations and develop decision-making skills that require thinking quickly and making wise decisions. They learn to analyze circumstances, assess possibilities, and make confident real-life decisions, whether playing a game, organizing an event, or solving a problem in a club.

6. Exploration and Development of Skills

Children who participate in extracurricular activities learn valuable skills and uncover new talents. These exercises give kids practical practice in various skills, including creativity, teamwork, leadership, and communication. They experiment with multiple hobbies, discover their passions, and develop abilities that will benefit them in their daily lives, careers, and academic pursuits.

7. Teach vital life skills

Children at school acquire vital life skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. They learn to deal with difficulties, collaborate, manage their time, and maintain discipline. These abilities are helpful in the classroom, the workplace, relationships, and everyday life.

8. Establishing and Reaching Goals

Through extracurricular activities, children learn how to set and achieve goals. They gain perseverance and determination by winning a competition, learning to play an instrument, or getting better at a sport. Reaching these objectives gives them more self-confidence and demonstrates that everything is possible with enough work and concentration.

9. Individual Development

Youngsters are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone, promoting self-development. They gain self-assurance, fortitude, and a sense of accountability. Through leadership, collaboration, or acquiring new abilities, these experiences make them more competent, self-sufficient, and well-rounded.

10. Character Development

Teaching virtues like self-control, accountability, perseverance, and teamwork shapes every child’s character. They help them establish integrity, handle achievements and setbacks gracefully, and cultivate a strong work ethic. These encounters shape them into well-rounded, moral people capable of overcoming obstacles in life with courage and fortitude.

Wrapping up

Extracurricular activities are crucial in shaping a child’s overall development beyond academics. They provide a platform for kids to explore what they like, develop new skills, and build confidence.

Moreover, extracurricular activities provide a much-needed break from their routine, allowing children to refresh their minds and reduce stress. They also help build friendships and improve social skills essential for personal and professional life.

Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam is one of the best schools offering IGCSE and ICSE curriculum in Chennai. They provide a platform for students to grow in all aspects and become holistic individuals. Extracurricular activities aren’t just extras. They’re the key to unlocking potential, building character, and shaping future leaders, allowing them to learn, grow, and shine beyond the classroom!

ng work ethic. These encounters shape them into well-rounded, moral people capable of overcoming obstacles in life with courage and fortitude.

FAQs

1. Why are extracurricular activities important for students?

Extracurricular activities help students develop essential life skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management. They also enhance creativity and boost confidence, supporting overall personality development beyond academics.

 

2. How do extracurricular activities support academic performance?

They improve focus, discipline, and stress management. Students often perform better academically when they’re involved in activities they enjoy, as it helps balance their mental and emotional well-being.

 

3. What types of extracurricular activities are most beneficial?

It really depends on the student’s interests. Sports, music, art, drama, debate, coding, and volunteering all offer different benefits. The key is regular participation and engagement.

 

4. Can extracurriculars help in college admissions?

Yes! Colleges look for well-rounded students. Involvement in extracurriculars shows initiative, commitment, and the ability to balance responsibilities.

 

5. How can schools encourage more participation?

By offering diverse options, creating inclusive environments, and recognising students’ efforts through events, certificates, or leadership roles are some of the ways how schools can encourage more participation.

Are you exploring early education options for your little one? Do you wish to scout for various opportunities to ensure your kid’s holistic growth and development?

Then this is your destination!

For early infants, Montessori education offers a special method that fosters self-reliance, creativity, and a love for learning. Imagine a classroom where education is an exciting experience rather than a boring, rigid routine. Montessori education cultivates a lifelong love for learning. That’s what makes Montessori education so wonderful!

In this blog, we will explore the top 10 benefits of Montessori education and why this system will be the best bet for your child’s holistic development.

What is Montessori education?

The core principle of Montessori education is that children learn, grow, and explore at their own pace. Italian physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori developed this ground-breaking child-centred method that encourages self-directed and experiential learning. She created the dynamic, flexible Montessori method to update the antiquated, rigid curriculum.

The fundamentals of the original Montessori education are listed here.

• Child-friendly classrooms with study materials placed at their level for easy access.
• Materials help grasp concepts through sensory experiences.
• Mixed-age classrooms and collaborative play environments.
• Self-interest-based learning fosters motivation.
• Focus on practical life skills like pouring, cleaning, and tying shoelaces.
• Teachers are guides and not instructors.
• Uninterrupted long learning hours ensure concentration.

Top Benefits of Montessori Education:

Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam is a pioneer in offering the Cambridge Early Years Program incorporating the best practices of Montessori methodology. Here, experiential learning is achieved through fun-filled activities.

The Montessori method adopted by Hari Shree allows children to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally at their own pace. There are 10 main advantages of this methodology.

1. Enhances problem-solving skills

The Montessori educational method places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and self-directed decision-making. Children at Hari Shree are provided with self-corrective resources, such as math logic boards and puzzles, which enable them to experiment, identify errors, and resolve problems themselves. Younger students learn from more seasoned students in a cooperative setting for learning. To foster their curiosity and inquiry, they are also exposed to open-ended activities.

Children in the Montessori curriculum at Hari Shree are equipped to think critically, solve issues, and confront challenges head-on.

2. Holistic growth and development

The integrated development of a child’s physical, emotional, social, and intellectual aspects is known as holistic development. The Montessori curriculum places a strong emphasis on self-paced learning in order to foster holistic development.

The structured setting and individualised instruction at Hari Shree foster children’s emotional intelligence and critical thinking. This guarantees balanced development for long-term success.

3. Cultivates self-motivation and self-discipline

For any child’s development, self-motivation and self-discipline must be fostered. Children who are self-motivated are more inclined to welcome new challenges and educational possibilities. They take responsibility for their choices and behaviours, gaining vital life skills like resourcefulness and problem-solving.

Hari Shree fosters tenacity and resilience by allowing kids to select activities according to their preferences.

4. Aids in the development of cognition

Early infancy cognitive development is critical because the human brain develops more quickly throughout these formative years. This establishes the groundwork for future achievement and general progress.

The Montessori method adopted by Hari Shree encourages cognitive growth through experiential learning and sensory investigation. Self-correcting resources are provided to kids, which improves their memory and logical thinking skills while assisting them in understanding abstract ideas. This improves their general intellectual development and prepares them for the future.

5. Enhances Critical and Creative Thinking

Children must participate in activities that foster logical reasoning and imagination to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills. They must embrace brainstorming, seek out a variety of information, and challenge ideas vigorously.

At Hari Shree, kids take part in self-directed activities that foster creativity, curiosity and the freedom to try new things and learn from.

6. Develops leadership abilities

A child’s whole personality development greatly depends on the development of their leadership abilities. Including them in school projects, role-playing, extracurricular activities, and many other activities will promote cooperation and teamwork.

In the mixed-age Montessori classroom at Hari Shree, older students serve as mentors to younger ones. This encourages responsibility, empathy, and cooperation. Youngsters cooperate to complete projects and make judgments on their own. They develop strong leadership skills as a result, preparing them for the future.

7. Program for Individualized Education

One of the fundamental tenets of Montessori education is this: Instead of a single curriculum for the entire class, Montessori offers a personalised curriculum for each student. It essentially holds that each child is unique and that this includes their skills.

Hari Shree follows a personalised learning curriculum for each child, enabling them to advance at their own speed depending on their interests and talents. Teachers provide personal assistance and guide youngsters along their particular journey. This strategy makes learning fun-filled and renders a deep knowledge of ideas.

8. Encourages the growth of social and emotional skills

Through dialogue and interactive learning environments, the Montessori tenets foster children’s social and emotional growth. They are intended to foster both individual and group connection as kids collaborate, exchange ideas, and work through issues as a group.

Hari Shree’s mixed-age, cooperative classrooms promote empathy and respect among classmates. Children acquire self-control and conflict resolution skills through encounters in the actual world. A genuine loving environment fosters self-assurance and a good attitude toward life in children.

9. Practical, experiential learning

Hands-on, real-world learning is another fundamental tenet of Montessori education. Direct involvement with objects and activities, rather than abstract instructions, encourages clarity of cognition and a greater comprehension of concepts.

Hari Shree has a strong emphasis on experiential, hands-on learning, enabling kids to engage directly with objects and investigate ideas.

10. Nurtures love for learning

Montessori education instills a deep love for learning in young children and lets them explore through self-directed hands-on activities at their speed. This method is designed to nurture natural curiosity, makes it a timeless approach to education, with a flexible curriculum and practical training,

Hari Shree cultivates a true love for learning in growing children. This makes education enjoyable and meaningful, fostering a lifelong passion for knowledge and personal growth.

Statistical Facts on Montessori Education:

A study compared children of Montessori with non-Montessori on ELA (English, Language, Arts), Maths and Science proficiency. The results were worth noting! Montessori kids outperformed!

• 15% to 24% higher achievement in ELA (grades 3-8)
• 8% to 30% in Mathematics (varies by grade level)
• 14% to 27% in Science (varies by grade level)

The Take-Home message:

Montessori methodology is more than just a teaching method. It is a transformational journey that prepares children for real-world success. Investing in Montessori education means investing in a bright future for your little one!

Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam’s Cambridge Early Years Program is the right platform to onboard your child. Explore the world of Montessori at Hari Shree and nurture independence, creativity, and lifelong learning for holistic development.

FAQs

1. What is Montessori education?

A child-centric method, Montessori education places a strong emphasis on individualised instruction, mixed-age classes, and hands-on, self-directed learning.

 

2. What is special in Montessori education?

In a planned, child-centred setting, Montessori education promotes self-reliance, experiential learning, self-paced development, critical thinking, and socialisation.

 

3. How important is Montessori education for kids?

Montessori education creates a solid basis for lifelong learning and holistic development by encouraging self-reliance, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

 

4. How does a Montessori education work?

Montessori education encourages freedom, creativity, and critical thinking by fostering self-directed learning through guided exploration, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on materials.

 

5. What is the role of the teachers in Montessori elementary schools?

In a prepared setting, Montessori elementary teachers facilitate, monitor, and encourage self-directed learning while encouraging self-reliance, critical thinking, and teamwork.