Why Extracurricular Activities Are Essential for Homeschooled Children
Whether you're homeschooling your child temporarily because of the pandemic or permanently due to personal preference, you must address many aspects of their growth that would be supported in regular schools. For example, consider the importance of extracurricular activities, like sports, art, or piano lessons. If you haven't arranged for such activities yet, learn how beneficial they are to your child in the guide below.
3 Reasons Homeschooled Kids Should Have Extracurricular Activities
1. Improve Academics
Many extracurricular activities involve mastering common academic subjects. For example, gardening, astronomy, and robotics clubs help your child understand and apply scientific principles.
Piano lessons can encourage reading comprehension and counting skills, while painting can teach your little one about color theory. In general, the arts are ideal for learning about history and culture. Pairing these various activities with academic lessons at home can result in a comprehensive curriculum.
2. Nurture Sociability
Homeschooled children can sometimes get lonely. Thankfully, extracurricular activities can surround your little one with like-minded individuals. Whether they like dancing, reading, or making music, they'll develop valuable friendships with other people their age.
Even one-on-one lessons can help little ones refine their social skills. Interacting with a piano instructor or art teacher can teach them to be comfortable around adults and overcome shyness.
3. Encourage Uniqueness
Children who attend traditional schools have easy access to extracurricular activities, but there tends to be a limited selection depending on the facility. For example, some schools only provide violin lessons, while others might only offer sports that your child isn't interested in.
Homeschooled children can have flexible schedules filled with unique experiences. Whether they want to explore their creative side or learn a new skill, they aren't limited by a school's curriculum. This will help them discover their unique passions, which can help them stand out on college or job applications later in life.
Piano lessons can be rewarding experiences for homeschooled children, so contact European Piano School in Anchorage, AK, to get started. Iryna Dunaeva has been a piano teacher for over 46 years and has the experience to teach growing children how to express themselves creatively. Some homeschooling organizations pay for extracurricular activities, so ask the board if they'll fund your child's musical pursuits. Arrange a meeting with Ms. Dunaeva by calling (907) 360-2915 or messaging her online.