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child’s classroom learning. As these activities focus should try to take a back seat and allow their
on developing the children’s social, emotional and children to decide based on their particular
HOW TO SELECT THE physical development, they are important in instilling interest/s. It is important to realise that in their
confidence and building character.
school years, children do not always get a say on
what they study. It is therefore key that they be
BEST EXTRACURRICULAR Whether the children are taking on something given an opportunity to gravitate towards what
interests them the most.
physically focused like taekwondo or working on
something in smaller groups like public speaking,
ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR CHILD they gain new skill sets which are not consciously This will also be a good time for parents to find out
developed during classroom learning.
more about their children – their wants, passions
and curiosities. It allows the family a chance to
ECAs also allow children to actively pursue their bond and find common interests which ultimately
interests. Children often shine and come into their help strengthen the family unit.
Extracurricular own when they are given the freedom to select However, this does not mean that parents should
activities they are truly excited about. This in turn
activities (ECAs) helps them to consistently and easily develop be completely hands off. They should still act
ensure children themselves. as advisors to nudge their children in the right
direction. Valid questions to ask include ‘Why did
have a well-rounded What are the benefits of joining you choose this activity?’, ‘What do you like about
social, emotional and ECAs in school? the classes?’, ‘How do you think the lessons can
Other than the obvious benefits of enhancing a child’s
help you?’
physical development learning and development, these activities in school
by exposing them provide peace of mind to parents and children alike The expectation is not for parents to have strong,
and are easily undertaken.
convincing reasons for choosing particular ECAs.
to different learning Instead, it provides an opportunity for them to
environments, Parents will not be burdened with the task of looking discover how passionate their children are with
for a suitable place to develop their children’s interest.
a particular ECA. The more passionate and
social situations The ECAs organised by the school ensure children interested the children are, the easier it will be for
and interpersonal can grow and develop all under one roof. them to learn and develop in social situations and
challenges. ECAs are As physical distancing and safe, clean habits become with interpersonal challenges.
important in instilling the new normal, not having to shuttle the children to Do you think joining ECAs can help
confidence and many different places in a day limits the amount of students improve academically?
The answer is, unequivocally, yes. ECAs help
their exposure to the environment and public. The
building character. schools’ safe bubble becomes a vital environment for children develop themselves. They stimulate
the children. active minds, encourage strong engagement and
give them a big boost in confidence and build
Safeguarding should not be a concern as the schools character. Take into account, too, the social skills,
are all prepared and well-equipped to ensure a safe friendships and relationships they cultivate with
xtracurricular activities (ECAs) ensure children to more unique offerings such as robotics, coding, and secure learning environment for the children. their peers, teachers and coaches. The children
have a well-rounded social, emotional and animation, public speaking and even life skills. Any external coaches who are engaged for the ECAs will then be well placed to apply these newfound
Ephysical development. They provide children would have been vetted stringently to ensure they skill sets in the classroom and beyond.
with exposure to different learning environments, It is not unusual for ECAs to have physical sports, comply with the safeguarding practices adopted by
social situations and interpersonal challenges. ECAs such as dodgeball, aikido, karate and fencing, as the school. A drastic academic improvement may not be seen
are different from co-curricular activities as they well as mentally stimulating activities such as chess, but you will find that, overall, your children will not
are optional and are most often taken based on mental arithmetic and creative clay art. The children will benefit as they are able to expand only gain more academic knowledge, they are
the child’s interest. While co-curricular activities are their friendships and relationships in a familiar and also likely to perform better across various areas
teacher-led, ECAs may be taught or led by external The range of activities offered at the schools may controlled environment. Not only will they be able to once they experience and share their interests and
coaches. be long and varied but they always complement the fall back on their teachers in school supporting them, passions with other students.
existing co-curricular activities children are required they will also be able to mingle and build camaraderie
What are some of the common ECAs to take. with children from other year groups and classes. This article was contributed by the Asia Pacific
offered at international schools today? Schools. For more information,
International and private schools usually offer a Why are ECAs important for a student’s What is your advice to parents and their please visit www.apschools.edu.my
variety of ECAs. They may range from commonly development in school? children on choosing the right ECAs?
practised sports, such as swimming and football, ECAs are a good way to supplement a student’s or When determining what ECAs to choose, parents

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