Syracuse Parent and CNY Family

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Life lesson: A child's education can continue beyond the end of the school day
Posted on Wed, August 12th, 2009
Written by: Jennifer Wing, Editor
email: editor@syracuseparent.net

September's return to school is often met with excitement along with nervousness as children look forward to seeing their teachers and their friends as well as getting back to their activities outside of school.
Physical benefits
There is an obvious correlation between taking part in activities outside of school such as dance, karate, tennis or even bowling and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Simply put, taking part in sports and other activities outside the realm of the classroom helps get children healthy and keep them that way. (See sidebars for benefits of specific activities.)
Mental and emotional benefits of outside activities
These activities can become an important part of the way a child spends his or her free time throughout their lives. It allows them to perfect themselves, to acquire new knowledge and to create meaningful bonds. Taking a course in skating, ballet, gymnastics, tennis or some other activity, often provides elementary and secondary grade students an opportunity to blossom and to shine. After experiencing some success in an area other than academics, students are better prepared to overcome some of their scholastic difficulties.
Being successful in a sport or other discipline can increase a child’s confidence, and the structure involved with playing by the rules and practicing routines can boost feelings of security. Outside interests are instrumental in helping to form a child’s character and personality.
For example, tennis is not only a great way to teach a child how to keep score, but can also give a child experience in strategy and cause-and-effect relationships. Ballet helps to teach form and an appreciation of the arts. Karate and other martial arts teach discipline and responsibility.
As a child’s ability grows, so can their passion for an activity. Their commitment to excelling in any discipline can form relationships between drive and excellence, confidence and success – life lessons that will serve them well as they approach adulthood.

Jennifer Wing, editor of "Syracuse Parent" and "Mother Knows Best," lives in Manlius with her husband, Eric, and children, Cassidy, 7, and Jacob, 5. She has worked at Eagle Newspapers since 2005.