From playing in the band to being part of a sports team, there is more to school life than just what goes on in the classroom.
In addition to their lessons, your son or daughter will have the chance to join in a whole host of extra-curricular activities. Every school will offer a packed programme to ensure there is something to suit all interests. Maybe your child will already have a favourite sport or other interest they want to continue or they might choose to try something new.
Your child will no doubt have plenty of opportunities and it is something that should always be encouraged. Joining after-school clubs can make it easier for them to settle in to their new surroundings and make friends. Children, especially those that are shy, may be concerned about how they are going to get to know their new classmates. They will be moving from a school where they knew everybody’s name and now they could be in a class with children they have never seen before. It is also a great chance for your child to develop an existing interest or start a new hobby, which could turn into a life-long passion.
All schools will offer sessions, with meetings taking place either before lessons, during lunch breaks and at the end of the day. If your child doesn’t have a particular interest already, encourage them to try something new. If it turns out it’s not for them, they can always try something else. Make sure they don’t just give up after the first attempt as it could take them a while to find a new interest and it may be that it’s something they had never considered before. Once your child has found an activity that they enjoy, succeeding in that activity could build their confidence and self-esteem.
As well as all kinds of sports, they could get involved in special-interest clubs such as science or computing, music tuition and modern foreign languages, as well as homework clubs. Popular extracurricular activities include book groups, creative writing and performing arts such as drama or choir groups. Another benefit of extra-curricular activities is that they allow your children to make a contribution to their school or community, helping to prepare them for later in life. For example, if they play in a school band they may stage a concert that is open for the public to enjoy. Activities can also teach them time management because children will be expected to get to sessions on time and be ready to start as soon as they arrive. They also present opportunities for your child to set goals for themselves such as passing a music exam, or being picked for the lead role in a play. It will give them something to work towards.
Sports teams, clubs and activities, like dancing and music, all require children to work together towards a common goal. This will teach them the benefit of teamwork, which will be useful to them when they get their first job. By joining an after-school club, they will also have the chance to mix with children of other age groups and outside their own circle of friends. When you attend an open day, make sure to find out what there is on offer, especially if your child already has a particular interest.
