Exploration And Discovery: The Doors Our Extracurricular Programs Can Open For Your Children

When you think about the most magical childhood learning experiences, you probably don’t think of classroom lectures or tests. While those things are essential, they’re not memorable. As much as our culture has pigeonholed education into specific images of students lined up in rows listening intently to a teacher speaking, we all intuitively know that learning can happen anywhere at any time. Not to mention that the implementation of our education almost always happens in the world. Like adventurers discovering new lands, learning occurs in practice as much as in the classroom.

Here at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, we specialize in providing a well-rounded education that includes the essential, traditional classroom environment and exciting and engaging extracurricular activities.

Some people misunderstand extracurriculars thinking they’re just time fillers with no valuable academic benefits. But those people couldn’t be more wrong. Extracurriculars allow students to practice the critical developmental lessons they’re learning in and out of the classroom. They are the heart of the well-rounded education that makes St. Barnabas such an effective learning community.

Our extracurriculars, as varied and interesting as our students, are designed to encourage students to learn about the world and about themselves. Our wide array of programming includes athletics, music and the arts, math, and science, and other clubs. There is truly something for everyone. Are you curious about how extracurriculars can help your child grow?

Enhance Social and Emotional Development

In our community, we are responsible for providing social, and emotional education in addition to the academic learning students get in classrooms. Extracurricular activities increase students’ self-esteem, improve their social skills, and help them develop strong relationships. Activities like group sports encourage students to learn collaborative skills like teamwork, trust, and communication. Playing on a team also teaches students to prioritize kindness and respect whether they win or lose and to celebrate the successes of their friends.

Encourage Creativity

For most of our lives, education looked like students sitting in a row, quietly taking notes until it was time to go home. Things have changed a lot since those days as we have learned that most students learn better when they engage their creative minds in the process. Our teachers work hard to ensure that their classroom environments are fun, creative, and engaging. Our extracurriculars are a beautiful extension of that, further encouraging students’ creative growth.

Release The Pressure 

School can be stressful. Just like you need opportunities to blow off steam at the end of a long day, your kids need a break too. Clubs and athletic organizations allow kids to move their bodies, be silly, and press the release valve from the pressure of learning throughout the day. Kids in elementary and middle school are still learning to regulate their emotions, and extracurricular activities are a great way to encourage kids to burn energy and release their emotions in a safe and healthy way.

Discover Their Talents

Finally, many students uncover their greatest talents and passions through exploring extracurriculars. Every classical pianist or professional athlete started as a child learning to play a sport or an instrument. Of course, the purpose of joining clubs or attending music lessons isn’t just to start early thinking about their career. But, research shows that having a hobby you care about can improve your mental health. We can all attest to that.

When you think back to the magic of your childhood, your mind probably drifts to the special moments you spent trying new things with your friends, the excitement of a soccer tournament, or the unfettered joy of performing on stage. You may not have turned those skills into a college scholarship or a marketable career, but the things you loved as a child leave a mark on the person you become in adulthood. At St. Barnabas School, we take our extracurricular programming seriously. Contact us today to learn more about the options available to your student.

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