Reasons for Extra-Curricular Activities

For many years, individuals have engaged in extra-curricular activities for several reasons. One of the main reason as to why individuals take part in recreational activities is to enjoy their free time. In psychology and other social sciences, there are many reasons as to why we should engage actively in play. The definition of play from the psychological context is the ability of an individual to take an active part in a particular activity for the purpose of leisure. The ultimate goal of engaging in play is to find freedom from stressful situations. Thus, this paper will highlight some of the reasons why individuals engage in play both in the past and present and the benefits of play in socialization.

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First and foremost, play is an essential aspect of our lives. It strengthens the social ties that bind us to the society. Play enables an individual to have fun and enjoy life to the maximum. It released pressure that accumulated within the individual and nourished the body. Adults who engage in play admit that it is a better experience taking time out. Play does not only involve the younger children but the adults as well. For children, playing is a requirement for them to grow stronger. Those children who play constantly become more creative through their imagination than those that do not. The same happens to adults. Adults develop a sense of creativity by playing so often. Individuals feel happy while playing since they socialize with others and share their experiences.

Secondly, play enables individuals to develop physical strength that helps them to keep constantly fit. Physical fitness ensures that our body functions correctly, and the power to do work in the society is available. Physically fit individuals possess more power and skills to carry out community tasks. That is why the society accepts playing as an activity. The famous quote All work and no play make Jack a dull boy is right in the sense that most individuals who just work without play eventually become unproductive or produce no positive results. In our society, after having taken part in various tasks, the community leaders usually advise that people participate in extra-curricular activities to freshen up for the next days work.

Thirdly, play contributes to who we are as individuals through offering room to socialize with others and learn more about their culture, beliefs and practices. The social aspect of play enables people to form ties and create healthy relationships. By building better relationships with other people, we create peace in the society. Ethnocentrism then ceases to exist since we value others and their culture. Besides, play brings us closer to our enemies and eliminates grudges. It also creates a sense of humor in individuals.

In addition, play improves our emotional development. People who balance the equation between play and work are emotionally stable (Hausberger, Fureix, Bourjade, Wessel-Robert & Richard-Yris, 2012). They do not get much stressed like those that only work. Work without play only piles up the stress that is within an individual. Thus, with stress individuals cannot perform well in the society. Even at the workplace stress hinders the relationship between the employee and the employer which eventually leads to submission in bad work. People only become productive to the society in which they live in by actively engaging in duties assigned to them.

Play enables individuals to feel young and energetic. It boosts the energy and vitality that is within individuals. It creates resistance to disease and improves the psychological set up in an individual. Adults are allowed to play with their little ones. It becomes more fun to do that and builds a healthy attachment to our loved ones. By so doing, children can approach their parents in case of difficulties and share with them since they are free with them. Social rules are shared during play, and people learn to co-operate. For a society to progress, the cooperation of individuals is required. Furthermore, play boosts our innovation in projects at the workplace. It replenishes individuals and creates a new being.

Most of the significance of play in the past and the presence is similar. Play did assist people in creating connections just like today. Play also improved the quality of relationships (Vickerius & Sandberg, 2006). Young children were allowed to play even in the past, and that is why even today the same trend continues. Individuals played games in the past few years, and these games brought togetherness. Governments realized the need for playing and set up stadiums whereby they could watch the games. Today, we have sports like football, athletics, and soccer. Apart from the physical games that were played in the past, new games have developed that act as a brain teaser. For instance, games such as Sudoku and chess have changed the mode of playing. They tune the mind of individuals and assist the person to be very creative. It is the importance of play that led to the establishment of these games.

Play is valued greatly presently just like in the past. Initially, adults who played were viewed like young children, however, with time the way the society considered play changed. Scientists and psychologists assert that the lack of play in individuals could lead to criminal activities. As a result, they advocate that all persons engage themselves actively in playing with others. A community where most individuals participate actively in sports and games has high chances of economic development, unlike that community where few or none participates actively in playing. It is the same case with families. During the past, families that did engage their children in playing were more successful. Children that were denied the right to play usually performed dismally in school. Even in the present world, those children who are clever at school but do not engage actively in sports or any other extra-curricular activities usually end up failing in their final examinations. This usually comes to them as a surprise.

There are many forms of play. For example, ritual play, object play and imaginative play (Vickerius & Sandberg, 2006). All these forms of play have many things in common. In all these forms of play, individuals develop cognitive, emotional and social skills. Also, play can facilitate deep connections between people who have never met. When individuals develop cognitive skills, they can make informed decisions on difficult matters. Besides, people can reflect on their past mistakes and make changes. In the modern world, play is required more than in the past since the advent of technology has made individuals be lazy and fixed with their jobs without finding time for them and their families. Therefore, the adult play is about forgetting other commitments and work and becoming social in a creative way.

In conclusion, play plays a great role in our lives. Both in the past and in the modern world play has helped many people free themselves from commitments and engage in recreational activities to replenish their well-being. Play contributes to our well-being which makes it lucrative for the society we live in since people will be active. Through the skills, individuals learn, they can use them for the betterment of their community.

References

Hausberger, M., Fureix, C., Bourjade, M., Wessel-Robert, S., & Richard-Yris, M. (2012). On the significance of adult play: what does social play tell us about adult horse welfare?. Naturwissenschaften, 99(4), 291-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-012-0902-8Vickerius, M., & Sandberg, A. (2006). The significance of play and the environment around play. Early Child Development And Care, 176(2), 207-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0300443042000319430