A study of the relationship between the increased growth and development of elementary students participating in extracurricular activities and the adaptations that parents, schools, and communities make to meet these after school needs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between involvement in extracurricular activities and the increased physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of elementary students that participate. The study also recognized the important role that parents, schools, and communities play in getting quality after school programs available for their students. The time spent outside the classroom has become a key factor in the lives of the students. Children spend more time out of school than in school, and this represented an opportunity to help children acquire skills that they can’t get during a normal school day. The information found in this study had benefits to school districts that were interested in seeing after school programs set up in their communities. It also had benefits to parents so they can see how important their role was in planning activities that are worthwhile for the entire family.