why you must let your child indulge in co curricular activities rather than only academics

 

"True education must correspond to the surrounding circumstances or it is not a healthy growth."

Mahatma Gandhi

 

With the increasing pressure to excel in academics and the advancement of technology, it is hard for parents to strike a balance between their child’s mental health and academic success. However, there is a need to understand that by letting your child be involved in co-curricular activities, you are providing them with an opportunity to not only engage in meaningful activities but also relieve stress.

The word health comes from the root word ‘whole’ which means feeling healthy is synonymous with being complete, a sense of wholeness within ourselves. For this to happen our body needs to be vibrant, our mind needs to be joyful and our emotions must be exuberant.

Essentially within human beings, there is a certain allotment of energy for every action; like a certain allotment of energy for intellect, emotions, and so on. In today’s world allotments in the dimensions of physical and emotional actions are going completely unused. This is the main reason for stress, depression, and anxiety. By tapping these two energies one can recover wonderfully.

By allowing our children to participate in the extra curriculum we let them tap their physical energy. Without finding expression of their emotional dimensions and enough exertion for the physical body, one is bound to become depressed. Participating in co-curricular activities can help children build character, resilience and leadership skills. It can also boost one's self confidence, help develop social skills while meeting new people and build relationships. One of the most powerful benefits of participating in activities outside the classroom is that it helps the child realize the importance of self discipline, organisation and dedication which are essential life skills for success in any field.

 

Mental health issues like depression anxiety, etc., are becoming increasingly prevalent among students due to growing pressure and competition. Research shows that engaging in different kinds of extracurricular activities can help mitigate mental health issues like these. It also helps develop creativity and a way to explore one's interests which in turn helps build more confidence among children.

 

 

It is essential for parents today to focus on their kid's overall well-being rather than just academic performance. Allowing your children enough opportunity for exposure and indulging in age-appropriate co-curricular activities can have lasting impacts on their mental health as well. At the end of the day, these activities are beneficial both physically as well as mentally. They allow kids the freedom to be creative while learning how to work together with others in a team environment.