Benefits of a good after school program
Children grow up in a society that demands
expertise in everything. You really cannot sit back and decide that learning
from textbooks is enough for the overall development of your child. It's the
age of specialization and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window
of opportunity. So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and
enroll them for the ones you think are the best.
After school programs are
basically designed to develop a talent or a skill that is ignored by regular
schools. These programs could 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 widens your child's area of interests.
He or she is introduced to new
things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form
or a new skill increases the child's self-esteem. It also allows you to
introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music class may
decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career out of it in
the long run.
Socialization is another great advantage of after school
programs. Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new
friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of
these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on stage
or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child. After school
programs keep your teenager busy.
He or she thus has some amount of protection
from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children
who are kept busy through diverse absorbing activities are less prone to abuse,
depression and burnout. Significant increase in achievement and attendance and
a reduction in drop out rates are other advantages of a good after school
programs.
Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more
adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults.
Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and teachers, but may
open up with other adults. Many children are put into recreational after school
programs so that they reduce weight and remain healthy.
A newly
emerging trend shows that about 15% children below the age of 16 are obese.
Parents who cannot put their children on a strict diet resort to sports and
games to burn fat. With cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has
become a prime focus of many after school programs.A good after school program
has many benefits.
It keeps the child entertained as well as busy, and thus
prevents children from becoming addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to
burn up their excess energy and explore their creativity, after school programs
help to shape the overall personality of the child.
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After-School Activities
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