extracurricular activities report

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular Activities

In some of my phycology classes my professor would always bring up the subject on what provides children with positive influences or helps children stay positive. Having positive influences around children could be sometimes tough because children are subjected to bad guidance based on so many factors for example: culture, friendships, and environment. Negative influences could be involved everywhere for example online, televisions and videogames.  One thing parents and guardians can do to eliminate bad influence and increase their children’s interest in sports, volunteering, clubs, and academics is by providing support in extracurricular activities to help children distract their mind from any negative behavior.

Many parents, teachers, and student ask themselves the question, “does involvement in extracurricular activities actually improve outcomes for individual students, or do better students simply tend to get involved in more extracurricular activities?” One high school's experience suggests that a concerted effort to increase extracurricular offerings and participation can contribute to school wide academic improvement. People that have always participated in activities know that participation in activities can improve ones overall behavior in school. I know it does because when I was younger I was involved in extracurricular activities and that always motivated me to stay focused in school and not give up. (Reeves)

            Extracurricular activities are a good way to get students motivated to go to school. Being involved in some kind of activity could turn into a hobby and become something one loves to do. When students wake up instead of thinking negative thoughts about school they will be excited for their performance, game, competition, etc. some parents and family may think that being involved in some kind of after school activity could allow students to lack on their homework. They think that because they will have less time on their hands they will loose their focus on schoolwork. In the article, “Extracurricular Advantages”, the writer Reeves Douglas who is a doctor that has written thirty books and many articles about leadership states, that the data from Woodstock suggest the opposite. When the school analyzed the numbers, it found that students who participated in three of four extracurricular activities during the year had dramatically better grades then those who participated in no extracurricular activities.

            In the article “Physical Activity and the Achievement Gap Among Urban Minority Youth”, by Charles Basch states that; there is less of an attempt to do any type of physical activity in minority groups. By running test they also notice that the scores of the students with no school involvement were lower than the people that have some physical activity or is involved in any extracurricular activity. Not only do activities help you get rid of some stress, but also they help you learn how to manage life with school, work, and other activities one enjoys.

            In the article “Young school-aged children's behavior and their participation in extra-curricular activities” by Simoncini Kym focuses on child behavior. Children's behavior is an important predictor of their future successes or failures. This study investigated the relationship between behavior and participation in extra-curricular activities in children aged between five and eight years. In the article they state that, “Children who participated in extra-curricular activities had lower behavior scores than those who did not. The results suggest that children benefit from participating in two or more activities for 80-90 minutes per week.” In my opinion I don’t think how much time you spend on your activity is important as long as one tries and enjoys it.  For me even thirty minutes a day is enough and I think that should be enough for students especially if they have other things to do for example homework and studying.

Having a physical activity every day helps stay to active, healthy, feel better and also helps one with emotions and their mind. In the article by Simmoncnin Kym she explains how physical activity could effect the learning environment of an individual. Students have plenty of time to start getting involved in activities instead of watching television. There are different types of activities to choose from and physical activity is probably one of the most important one. The reason I think physical activity is important is because it affects the metabolism and all major body system, exerting powerful positive influences on the brain and spinal cord.

            Physical inactivity is highly and disproportionately prevalent among school aged minority youth; negative impact on academic achievement through its effects on cognition, and effective practices are available for schools to address this problem. Increasing students physical activity and physical fitness can best be archived through a comprehensive approach that includes physical education, wise use of recess and after school times, co-curricular physical activity opportunities, and bicycling or walking to and from school.

Some parents don’t know what to do to help students focus in school. In the video, “Real Life Teens: Staying Focused”, they give real live scenarios on how students have done to keep themselves motivated. The humanities and sciences firm recorded this film. In the film they give examples on what students can do to build new positive habits, stop procrastination, and stay focused. One of the main topics they mention that help students a lot through out school is getting involved. Not only does it look in school application and resumes but also it prepares one for real world skills like, time management and responsibilities. Some of the students that got interviewed said that their teachers don’t really catch their attention in class; the lecture starts getting boring so they stop paying attention. An extracurricular activity helps one understand why it’s important to pay attention. In volunteering, sports, and clubs it requires paying attention and following the rules because if one doesn’t there is consequences, one of the consequences is failing the class.  

All the research and test I did show that an extracurricular activity is a good thing for students. It helps kids develop positive skills and keeps them motivated. Waking up every Moring excited to go to school because of a game, performance, or competition is a good thing. Staying focused in classes and following the rules will just make ones academics life more achievable because they are doing the right thing. Instead of getting in trouble they are more focused on their school goals. This is how I stayed focused in school and reached my goals if I achieved them anyone can and parents can help with that as well by always supporting their children.

citations 

Fredricks, Jenifer A. “Taking a Closer Look at Participation of

Ethnic Minority Youth. “Child Development Perspectives,

vol. 6(2012): 280-287. Print.

Reeves, Douglas B. “Extracurricular Activities Advantages.”

           

 Educational Leadership 66 (2008): 86-87. Print.

Simoncini, Kym. “Young School Aged Children Behavior and

Their Participation” Austalasion Journal of Early

Childhood 37 (2012): 35-42. Print. Elkins, Daniel J.

“Students Perceived Sense Of Campus Community”

          

  College Student Journal 45 (2011): 105-121.Print.

Film Media Group “ Real Life- Teens Staying Focused “ Rev. of

         EducationalPsychology. Films Media Group, 2003. Films On

         Demand. Web. 12 March 2013.