Education Versus Extra Curricular Activities

Every child dreams of being a superstar at one point. Whether it's a NBA basketball player or a NFL quarterback, every child wants to be successful. I'm sure right now, you are thinking of all the things your child has told you they want to be. It's funny really. Every child wants to be successful, but everyone has to start the same way: by going to school. It's a hard life that everyone must endure. Getting up and heading off to kindergarten, then off to middle school, then four years later, off to high school. It is the cycle of life we all have been through before our children.

School Matters

Many times I know parents sound like a broken record by telling the children how important school is. Without school, it is very difficult make something of yourself. We need reading, writing, and math and will use these subjects for the rest of our life. If you want to be somebody, you have to work hard now. Sound familiar? It is the words of every parent speaking to their children. We've all told our children to buckle down and work hard at some point. It's what makes us parents. We care about our kids.

Good Grades -- Is it Possible?

Is there such a thing as slowing down now and focusing on school? In a world where life is busier than ever, is it possible to be too busy as a child? The short answer is a yes and no. With hard work, every child can excel in school and in every activity they do outside of school. Of course, this often requires a lot of hard work of the parents. This we all know!

There are many who would say that school is the only real important thing for children. That education is the most important thing that matters throughout the child's education -- not extra curricular activities.

The key for children to excel in school is that they have to apply themselves: both in school and in every other aspect of their life. Amidst the busy lives, school still needs to play an important part of their life -- however it is accomplished. Parents learn to be creative in just about every aspect of our lives. This is no different. No one has to tell you how important getting honor roll is. Parents tend to think beyond middle school, high school. We think of college, life after college, all the things we hope our child becomes.

What Happens When Kids Struggle in School?

We can acknowledge that every child will not always do well in school. The truth is that they will excel in something. The key as a parent is to find that one thing they really succeed in. For school, it may mean a lot of hard work to get through school. That is the great thing about being a parent. We can encourage our kids to succeed, even if it is difficult.

They may do better in their sports or whatever their extra curricular activity is than actual school grades. The truth is that they may be the next Tim Tebow. Wouldn't that be a delightful surprise?

Tim Tebow was indeed an amazing student, football player, and person. He was and is the kind of person that anyone could get to know and enjoy. He made his way through school via homeschool and later joined the public schools football team.

This is testimony to working hard in school and in his sport. He showed children across the country that if you work hard in school, all things are possible. The key for him is that school was always a focus. His abilities on the football field will never take away the fact that he pushed himself in college as well.

We probably could agree that every parent just wants the best for their child. This hope or ounce of faith carries us to do all we do for our children. The base fact is that they need to get through high school. The better their grades, the more it can help them as they prepare for life.

All of the extra curricular activities are enjoyable and possibly can help with scholarships and college itself. These extra activities can teach dependability, character, and endurance. For some, it means new friendships and a social life.

As long as we can teach our children that school comes first, play comes second, we are teaching them good things.We should teach our children that school is important. The action behind the words often fall on parents to achieve. Making extra time for homework, encouraging our kids to work hard --- the list is endless. But the truth is that if we do this, everything else will and does fall into place. The more our kids care about school, homework, tests, and grades, the more they care about life in general.

The truth is that nothing comes without a price. We all have to work hard to get anything. School is a wonderful place where our children can learn this concept. We can show them that they can go to school and have extra curricular activities. But in order to have the activities, they have to give 100% effort in school.

The funny thing is that it really is possible to be engaged in sports, art or anything else and still get good grades in school. The key is teaching principles from a young age the importance of school.

6 Tips to Help Kids Give 100% in School

Give Incentives.

Nothing comes free. The ability to be apart of extra curricular activities is contingent to getting good grades. If they work hard in school, they can enjoy all the activities they love. The principle you are teaching is that we have to work hard to get things in life. If we work hard, the reward is all the extra activities.

Give Encouragement.

School can be difficult. For those subjects that your child struggles in, keep encouraging them. Remind them daily that you believe in them. We probably will ever know how much words of encouragement help us. These small habits can encourage our children to work hard, even when it is difficult.

Study with your Kids.

There is no better way to help them get good grades than quizzing your kids. Whether you help them study for a test or quiz them for an exam, help your children be successful. The simplest things are sometimes the most helpful.

Homework Must be Done.

This is another simple reminder than can sometimes be vital. Tests can sneak up on students. Help them remember or come up with a easy system (Like a calendar) to help them keep track of tests and quizzes. The better prepared they are for those tests, the easier time they will have on tests day.

Use Empty Time to Study.

If you child has several extra curricular activities throughout the week, utilize your time in the car or wherever you are having "empty" time. By having textbooks or whatever your child needs to study, you are utilizing every bit of time. This will help your child study even for a few minutes at a time.

Every child wants to do the things they want to do. Parents have to find ways to make those things happen but also remember that school is important. The more time you can find to study (even for 10 minutes at a time), the better off your child will be. We've studied in the car, at the grocery store, in the doctors office -- the ideas are endless. The important thing is to utilize any empty time you have to study.

Volunteer

There is no better way to get your kids outside of themselves than volunteering. There are many ways to volunteer now. Whether it is feeding the homeless, picking up trash, or doing crafts at the old folks home. Go to VolunteerMatch.org to find out what opportunities are available in your area.

Sources:

Baptist Press