Children grow up in a society that demands experience in everything. You can’t really sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough for your child’s overall development. It is the age of specialization and your child cannot afford to miss out on this opportunity. So, search your area for the most advantageous programs and enroll them in the ones you think are the best.
After-school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or skill that regular schools ignore. These programs can be educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are,
they basically aim to keep the child active and interested.
The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it broadens your child’s area of interest. New things are presented to you, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form or skill increases a child’s self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce your child to new career options. A child who attends a music class may decide that he likes her so much that, in the long run, he wants to make a career out of it.
Socialization is another great advantage of after-school programs. Children meet other people who share their interests and make new friends. An acting class or soccer class can be a lot of fun. Many of these programs prepare children for performances or games. Performing on stage or playing a game can be a great experience for a young child.
After-school programs keep your teen busy. Therefore, you have some protection against destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through various absorbing activities are less prone to abuse, depression, and burnout. A significant increase in performance and attendance and a reduction in dropout rates are other advantages of a good after-school program.
Most after-school programs have children interacting with one or more adults. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults. Children often find it difficult to trust their parents and
teachers, but can open up with other adults.
Many children participate in after-school recreational programs to reduce their weight and stay healthy. A new emerging trend shows that around 15% of children under the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their children on a strict diet turn to sports and games to burn fat. With
cases of childhood diabetes on the rise, this has become a main focus of many after-school programs.
