FOR students of all shapes, sizes and ages, extracurricular activities offer an opportunity to make friends, engage in social activities and explore passions and hobbies. Additionally, extracurricular activities are thought to help students psychologically. Participation in extracurricular activities may help homeschooled students develop social skills or help student new to town make friends. In college, extracurriculars help round out a resume and some programs allow students to make networking contacts.

1. Types of Extracurriculars

There are many different types of extracurricular activities available for students from elementary school through college. A majority of these programs encourage social interaction and friendship building among the participants. Some examples of popular extracurricular activities include scouting programs, sports activities, dance lessons and theater programs. Student-run newspapers, environmental science programs, photography groups and musical bands are also good choices for many students. Some schools offer student unions or clubs that are culture centric, allowing students to connect with other students who share a similar heritage and belief system.

2. Choosing a Program

The key to choosing an extracurricular activity, especially for the student who aims to make friends and increase his social circle, is to choose an activity based on the student’s interests. Do they enjoy competition and exercise? Participate in a local, intermural sport. Is your child the family shutterbug? Enroll her in a photography class. Do you dream of a career in the business field? KidsHealth, run by the nonprofit Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media, suggests that students and parents talk to others who participate in these activities before joining. This will help a person understand how the organization functions and the expectations. It will also give students an opportunity to engage with other students, evaluating their experiences.

3. Building Friendships

One of the main benefits of joining an extracurricular activity is the opportunity to engage in a social activity with peers and friends. For many students, a shared passion or interest is the first step in developing a friendship. Extracurriculars facilitate an introduction among peers, encouraging teamwork and bonding to achieve a shared goal. As students work together on an activity they enjoy, friendships typically blossom.

4. Other Benefits

Participating in social and extracurricular activities may benefit students beyond helping them build friendships and interact with their peers, according to an article published in 2009 by "Science Daily.” The study, based on the research of sociology professors at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign points out that extracurriculars help students develop social skills, work habits, conscientiousness and time-keeping skills. Students with well-developed social skills, work habits and time management skills are more likely to be successful in their professional lives.

E-How Family