Encouraging kids to do extracurricular activities is quite ideal to keep them active, responsible, goal-driven, and sociable. Limitations should be set, however, to avoid giving them stress.
According to a research titled "Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Students," those who have extracurricular activities tend to have better grades, higher test scores, higher educational attainment, attending school regularly, and an upgraded concept of self.
National Center for Education Statistics says that from extra works along with studies, kids learn more important values like "teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, diversity, and a sense of culture and community." These are essential in reinforcing the lessons that were communicated in the four corners of the classroom.
Although extracurricular activities help kids in many ways, some researchers still suggest that too much business on the part of a kid will lead to stress and anxiety. But, it will actually depend on the style of parenting. Forcing a thing to a child is really stressful. It is important to learn the child's strength and start there.
All children have their own intelligence. Psychologist, Howard Gardner, says in his popular "multiple intelligence" theory, that you must know "how is your kid smart" not "how smart your kid is". These are different. Where your kid is good at should be further developed until mastery is attained.
Parents have a huge role in the success of their kids. It is, therefore important that you are able to manage them without straining them. Yes, it is legal to give them a little push but never to force them reaching dreams that will actually break them in reality.
