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BUSINESS NEWS - It’s no doubt that extra-murals are an important part of children’s development, and most schools will offer extra activities from the first grade up, from arts and culture related activities, to sport and community projects.

Many of us are aware of why Saving for Your Child’s Education is so important, but not so aware of why it is important for children to take part in activities other than the ones they take part in during the course of the school day. While it’s never a good idea to sign your child up for dozens of extra activities per term and overload them, extra-murals provide the opportunity to create the well-rounded individuals we all want our children to be.

So why are extra-murals so important and how do we get the balance right?
Whether it’s rugby, ballet, chess, pottery, or music, building on one skill has a variety of positive effects. According to The Eduvation Network, “Studies have shown that they are vital to a child’s development and a lack of participation in extramural activities inhibits the acquisition of social skills, as well as physical and psychological development.”

So what exactly are the benefits of extra-murals?

Exercise:
In sport based activities, children are able to increase their cardiovascular activity, not only helping them to become fitter and healthier, but also helping their bodies to release those all-important endorphins known to produce feelings of happiness.

Teamwork:
This is a vital skill needed both during and post a child’s school career. In activities which require children to work together to solve a problem, children will learn how to work with others to achieve a common goal.

Whether they are put under pressure or not, they will be required to think critically about what they are doing.

Time management:
Whether your child is a part of a team that meets weekly, or has one-on-one lessons with a tutor, having commitments to attend to during the week will teach them how to manage their time in order to get both school and extra-mural work done, as well as be on time. Once they are old enough to start learning how to drive, they will learn about the importance of Car Insurance, car maintenance, and getting to their appointments on time and safely.

Critical thinking:
Whether your child is more interested in playing a sport or an instrument, the extra activity requires anyone, not just a child, to think about the situation they are in and act accordingly. Whether they are put under pressure or not, they will be required to think critically about what they are doing.

While extra-murals offer important benefits to developing children, parents are advised not to overdo it. Pushing a child to focus all their energy on one activity in order to be the best, or pushing them to do every activity on offer, can be harmful to their natural development. 

According to Anne McDonald, Cape Town based counsellor, it’s very important for children to develop at their own pace, giving them the ability and power to recognise their own interests and strengths. Extra-mural schedules that are completely driven by parents can stand in the way of this. Experts advise that parents sign their children up for activities they have independently shown interest in, and not push them to become the best at such a young age.

Conclusion
While extra-murals are extremely important to children’s development, parents are advised to find a balance between encouraging their children to take part in extra-murals for their development but also not pushing them to the point where they no longer enjoy the extra activities.

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