Importance of Co-curricular activities on the mental health of the students
27-12-2022
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, so goes an age-old saying. Its applicability, however, is timeless. It has been found that any activity that breaks the monotony of routine scheduled learning serves to enhance the mental agility and faculties of the students. This could be at home, it could be at school. Extra-curricular activities as they are termed are therefore of extreme importance and occupy a respectable place in the daily schedule chalked out for the students.
What are co-curricular activities?
Extra-curricular activities or ECA can safely be defined as activities that are carried out by students outside and beyond their scheduled academic classes. These activities often happen outside the classroom and might not be included in the visual schedule of the class. This includes being a member of various clubs, wherein there are other people of similar inclinations. This platform provides the student opportunities to interact and display his own skill set around his chosen activity. For example, if a student is interested in dance or music, he or she is provided with the opportunity to learn and perform in organized events. These activities not only decorate or add to a child’s skill set but also allows him to invest time creatively and constructively. This, in turn, helps in learning soft skills that enhance a child’s personality.
Best Co-curricular Activities in school
Studies have repeatedly underlined the role of extra-curricular activities in a student’s daily schedule. These could be:
-
Dance: it is an accepted fact that dancing is perhaps the best form of self-expression. It not only helps the student deal with stress but also helps in the physical development of the child.
-
Sports: Learning to play a game be it cricket, basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton, etc., helps in the physical, mental and emotional growth of the student. Playing on the field with mates contributes to developing soft skills also.
-
Cooking: Learning to cook teaches the child about nutrition and the alchemy of food. It gives the little chef the satisfaction of creating something. This in turn adds to his confidence levels.
-
Swimming: The best way to have water therapy. It relaxes the body and mind and at the same time creates awareness in the child about the importance of observing safety measures. It is a lesson in life skills.
These are a few examples of physical extra-curricular activities. There could be a whole list including martial arts, gymnastics, and so on. A few activities that are not so vigorous and are liked by children who bend towards the creative are:
- Drama
- Storytelling
- Pottery making
- Foreign language learning
- Learning a musical instrument
How do co-curricular activities positively impact the mental growth of a student?
It is of utmost importance that the child loves and enjoys the time that he devotes to his extra-curricular activity. It could be any of the above or it could be anything outside the list. It could be within the school premises, or it could be at home. It could be outside school hours or it could be during the weekend. It should be very different from academic learning and should have nothing to do with his textbooks. That is how the student gets a chance to explore other avenues and develop an all-around personality. Extra-curricular activities have a huge impact on the mental health of a child/student. This should be kept in mind when the parents push the child to fulfill their personal academic ambitions.
The ECA keeps the child’s concentration firmly locked. It promotes interaction within the peer group and allows each participant set his own personal goals and challenges. This freedom contributes to boosting a sense of self-worth in the student. A Survey/study done at the University of British Columbia states that children who actively participated in Extracurricular activities are less likely to be patients of depression. Girls, particularly, turned out more mentally resilient and healthy if they had an ECA.
Today, most parents prod and nudge their children towards STEM ( Science, technology, engineering, and maths). Under this circumstance, enrolling the child in an ECA has become more contributive toward his mental well-being.
Extra-curricular activities not only keep the child happily entertained but also helps him in dealing with loneliness issues. Peer-to-peer learning in the ECA keeps the child motivated as it introduces them to children who have similar interests and problems. These activities are inclusive and accessible; which in itself is an energy booster for a child’s confidence and morale. Ultimately self-esteem and a sense of belonging ensure a healthy mind. Consequently, a healthy body. A happier student will definitely perform better in his academic field and will have a better sense of time management, leadership qualities and positive social development.
Final Words
Scientists tell us that our body is made up such that it reacts to given situations by releasing hormones. Happy moods are brought about by physical activity or any activity that gives us satisfaction. This results in the release of cortisol or ‘happy hormones’. These hormones help us manage stress, anxiety, depression, or any other negative emotion. So, it is not just theoretical but a purely physical response that makes the school-going student mentally resilient, agile, and praiseworthy.
At DPS Vikas Nagar, an enriching curriculum has been curated that strikes a fine balance between achieving academic excellence and ensuring the all-round development of children: Citizens of the World!
DPS Vikas Nagar is open for admissions. Click here to enroll your child into a world of fun learning today!
