Building Children's Self-Efficacy Through Extracurricular Activities in Elementary Schools

This study aims to analyze the role of extracurricular activities in developing self-efficacy among elementary school children through a systematic literature review. The objective is to explore how participation in various extracurricular programs enhances students' academic, social, and emotional competencies, with the hypothesis that extracurricular engagement positively correlates with higher self-efficacy. A total of 25 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2013 and 2023 were selected through database searches using keywords related to self-efficacy, extracurricular activities, and elementary education. Studies involved children aged 6–12 years from diverse geographic and demographic contexts. Thematic synthesis was employed to identify key patterns and findings. The results indicate that involvement in activities such as sports, arts, music, and scouting significantly contributes to the development of self-efficacy through mastery experiences, vicarious learning, and social support from peers and mentors. Furthermore, the findings confirm the initial hypothesis, showing a reciprocal relationship between extracurricular participation and self-efficacy—each reinforcing the other. A unique contribution of this study lies in its focus on elementary-aged children and its implications for educational practices in the Indonesian context. These findings imply that schools should intentionally design and implement extracurricular programs to support students' personal growth and psychological well-being. Future research is encouraged to examine moderating variables, such as gender, socio-economic background, and type of activity, that may influence the strength of these relationships.