Taking part in extracurricular activities has far-ranging benefits that touch on many aspects of a child’s development. In this blog, we highlight five advantages of getting involved in extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. We also showcase some of the opportunities PBIS can offer your child.
One of the fundamental benefits of extracurricular activities is that they allow your child to learn something that could stay with them for a lifetime.
That skill could be the basis of a hobby or passion that enriches their life for many years. Everything from playing sports to learning an instrument could lead to hours spent doing something they enjoy.
Beyond that, extracurricular activities instil key skills and personality traits that can be helpful in other walks of life. Using the same examples, sports are key to developing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. A musical instrument requires perseverance, hand-eye coordination and, above all, creativity.
These are important skills that provide continued benefits long after their education is completed.
A lot of the skills that extracurricular activities develop can be used in the classroom. Education requires problem-solving skills, memory, creativity, and critical thinking. To varying degrees, you can find an extracurricular activity that positively impacts on these areas.
Research shows a clear link between extracurricular participation and academic excellence. In one study by the Texas A&M University, for example, students who took part in extracurricular activities demonstrated improved reading ability, maths achievement, and course grades.
The nature of many extracurricular activities means that they offer your child the chance to engage with other children in a social setting. Away from the classroom, it’s a good opportunity for them to mix with likeminded children and do something they enjoy. This is another key benefit of extracurricular activities: they give students a chance to develop their social skills, make new friends and become more confident communicating in groups.
Extracurricular activities can also build self-esteem and confidence. It is gratifying when we succeed in something we enjoy, especially after working hard to achieve it. Good self-esteem is an essential tool for positive mental health and wellbeing.
Extracurricular activities also help children develop their time management skills. By balancing school work and after-school clubs, for example, students learn skills that benefit them throughout their education and in later life.
Extracurricular activities are also a great addition to a student’s resume when it comes to applying for universities or jobs. Universities, for example, love to see evidence that a prospective student is willing to go above and beyond to develop new skills. Extracurricular activities also demonstrate that your child has varied interests and a curiosity to learn beyond the classroom.
At PBIS, we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities for our children. Below, we’ve listed some typical types of programmes and clubs, as well as other valuable experiences to consider.
The benefits of sport and physical activity are extensive. Physically, sport encourages a healthy lifestyle and develops key attributes. Mentally, joining a sports team – or signing up for one of our active summer camps – develops teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills. Socially, few extracurricular activities bring individuals together like sport.
For older students, getting a feel for working life can be a great way to introduce them to industries they have shown an interest in or might like to work in. Part-time jobs and volunteering roles are also excellent ways to develop their resume. Employers love to see a proactive individual who has shown intent to develop their career from an early age.
Aside from sports, taking part in activities with a social purpose, like a School Council, PBIS’ collaboration with UNICEF, or community service activities, are great ways to show leadership, responsibility and a desire to tackle difficult subjects.
This type of extracurricular activity also helps to develop problem-solving and communication skills.
Journalism is a popular career choice and developing an interest in this area can often begin by working on a school newspaper. Journalists are required to have great written communication skills; they also need to be excellent investigators and problem solvers. If this is something your child would like to focus on, we suggest applying for a position on the school paper.
Culture-based clubs can be as broad as film, music, languages or games. Whatever interests your child, getting involved in a relevant activity gives them the chance to socialise with likeminded children.
Creativity is a key asset in further education and beyond. Those involved in arts clubs, like music, drama or visual arts, tend to be more creative thinkers and capable of approaching problems from a different standpoint.
While primary school students may not yet be planning their university applications, extracurricular activities still play an important role in their education.
Primary school is a key developmental stage when students start to not only explore their practical skills and abilities, but also develop their confidence in social situations.
Extracurricular activities for primary children provide early opportunities to develop leadership, cooperation, and teamwork skills. These will play a vital role throughout their education, at university, and in chosen careers.
Extracurricular activities are important, therefore, because they allow children to develop essential practical, social and academic skills that will support them throughout their education and career. They also provide a safe space where children can relax, enjoy themselves, and explore new things, away from the pressures of their school work.
At PBIS, we offer a variety of optional extracurricular activities, which help our students to discover their talents and passions. Our extracurricular programme is delivered by highly qualified PBIS staff and external organisations, and includes creative activities, languages, drama, sports and dance.
Please contact our admissions team for a full list of our extracurricular activities or to learn more about our programme.
Extracurricular activities are an integral part of a student’s school experience. Not only do they contribute to a well-rounded education, but they also develop specific skills and attributes that set our students up for success in later life.
Some of the benefits of extracurricular activities include:
If your child loves drama, public speaking, or simply wants to build confidence, you might be looking for ways to help them develop these skills.
Michal and Jaroslav, our IB students and members of the Entrepreneurship Club, have clear expectations from the club: they want to learn about themselves and enhance their knowledge and skills in building a business.
“The school offers so many options that make life more flexible and enriching,” Michal said, and here’s what they both had to say about their experience with the Entrepreneurship Club.
Come on, it’s not rocket science. For some people it is! A 2022 graduate from PBIS, Ilyes is currently working on his bachelor's degree with a focus on mechanical engineering, physics, and computer science at Sorbonne University in Paris. Apart from his academic work, he’s also working on a modest side project: developing a jet engine. His approach, in his own words, is to “learn as much as possible about everything” so he can apply his knowledge to real-world situations and make the world a smarter, better place.
