Co-curricular activities improve the learning experiences of students , help them identify and develop their inner talents like creative & public-speaking skills, leadership qualities, etc.Co-curricular activities offer them an opportunity of thinking unusually and getting the innovative ideas of their own.
Co-curricular activities are those activities that are undertaken along with academic studies. Typically, co-curricular activities are carried out outside the normal classrooms but they supplement the academic curriculum and help in learning by doing. These activities help students to develop problem-solving, reasoning, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, and collaborative abilities.
Co-curricular activities in school might be compulsory such as music, art, or drama classes that take place during the day. Others could be voluntary such as participating in a school sports team, school debating teams, or student newsletters editorial team. In either case, participation helps students in emotional development, social skill development, and overall personality development. Therefore, the importance of co-curricular activities is immense.
12 essential skills and values that you can develop through co-curricular activities
When theoretical curriculum and co-curricular activities are integrated together, then your chance of learning more and exploring more about your strengths, interests, and abilities becomes higher. Therein lies the importance of co-curricular activities which are supplementary to the theoretical curriculum.
It is true that much of your intellectual development happens, to a great extent, in the classroom itself. But, various other aspects of your personality such as emotional development and social skill development happen through co-curricular activities to a large extent. Therefore, the key role and importance of co-curricular activities cannot be denied in holistic development.
The 12 essential skills and values that you can develop through co-curricular activities are:
- Logical and analytical thinking – Analyzing reasons behind events and situations
- Critical thinking – That is examining concepts, ideas as well as problems and issues
- Creative thinking – In other words, thinking of newer ways to solve problems; visualization; thinking of new ideas
- Problem-solving skills – For instance, solving problems utilizing various concepts, solutions, etc.
- Leadership skills – For instance, taking initiatives and responsibilities; influencing others in working for a good purpose; setting goals; motivating others to work towards goals; taking accountability
- Social skills – Includes collaboration; teamwork; building good relationships with others
- Emotional skills – Understanding your strengths and weaknesses; controlling your emotions as well as empathy for others
- Communication skill – Includes the power of expression; listening to others; public speaking etc.
- Technology skills – Using various computer software and apps for getting things done
- Social values – In other words, respecting differences among individuals, respecting others values and culture
- Ethical values – For example, maintaining ethics in public life; good moral values etc.
- Recreational values – Understanding the importance of leisure and recreation; participating in leisure and recreational activities.