How do extracurricular activities play an important role even during the pandemic?

As the country opens up in a calibrated manner after months of lockdown, we're devising ways in which we can bring back normalcy in our lives. Schools are also striving to protect the health and wellbeing of the future generation.

More often than not, academics are confused with education. It is believed that academics are just one of the ingredients in the recipe for wholesome education.

In times like this, academics need not be the key priority. Students need to be more concerned about learning for life and not learning for livelihoods. Care and wellbeing should be a priority.

Educationists need to concentrate on building mental, spiritual, and emotional strength and that can be done through extracurricular activities.

There are many things that kids learn through these activities that can't be learned through theoretical teaching. Research shows it helps in making kids more resilient and contributes to a decrease in mental health issues.

But these activities will now be done differently because COVID-19 will continue to be with us for a while and that calls for a revolutionized way of functioning in every aspect of life.

For high school students who wish to be involved in extracurricular activities, not all hope is lost.

While the coronavirus has forced athletics and some other activities to be canceled or postponed, others can be done online. Debates, quizzes and elocutions on digital platforms are easily doable. Music & art lessons can be conducted virtually too.

Some drama teachers got creative when the coronavirus caused cancellation of scheduled productions, shifting to recorded audio plays, short films and table readings over video calls, proving that the show must always go on.

Indulging in extracurricular activities will definitely be instrumental in breaking academic monotony. It will also help students channel their thoughts, direct them to a clearer path and make for an enriching student experience.

The benefits of extracurricular activities are exponential.

First of all, students get the chance to build their skills and interests in an environment without the pressures of a formal classroom setting. While they have to try geometry out of necessity in Maths, they can attempt calligraphy out of interest and at their own pace.

Another advantage is that students get to know people outside of their friend groups and classes.

They may associate with students younger or older than themselves or simply with some students they wouldn't normally come into contact with. It's a great opportunity to find similarities with others and build new friendships.

In addition, extracurricular activities can challenge the child to push their own boundaries and excel at an activity or skill.

There is only so much time in the school day and there are so many tangents where educators pique their students' interests, and extracurricular activities are a great place for them to follow through on these. Whether it is technologically, academically, or physically centered, extracurricular activities can hone your child's interests and lead them to success above and beyond the set curriculum.

In an unpredictable world when we stress 21st century skills we often speak of collaboration, creativity, communication, entrepreneurism and perseverance. And these are skills that can effectively be honed outside the classroom or now in the confines of a home.

Certain activities like sports teach children discipline, grit, teamwork, leadership and endurance. They learn that practice and preparation cuts the odds of failure. They celebrate victory with grace and humility. Similar skills are developed if students learn about technology or play a musical instrument. For instance, a robotics and design online club would teach them about real world issues and how technology can disrupt and change the world. They learn about adaptability. They witness curiosity and see problem-solving in action. If it is a musical instrument they want to play, they begin to explore their creative self, understand the ability to express their emotions differently, and learn to be patient and understand how to harmonize when others play alongside.

Extra-curricular activities build personality and the young learn real life skills like time management. They teach students to organize, network and better understand their strengths and weaknesses. They may be the role model which builds their confidence. Or they may see other role models to emulate. Extra-curricular activities allow students to relax, rejuvenate, and mingle.

Although the list might be long and time may be short, extracurricular activities are worth the effort. The skills they build to enhance a child's expertise, ingenuity and versatility to prepare them for their future, near and far, are priceless and can ignite a passion and set them apart in the long run.

(The author is an educationist and principal of Jasudben M L School, Mumbai)