Before and after school or out-of-school time programs offer kids various benefits. They are not just for toddlers and preschoolers but also older students. Encourage your child to pursue academic challenges outside of the classroom. Please help them to discover what captivates their interest and inspire their curiosity with reading, writing and math activities at home.
Socialization
As parents, we know that finding quality childcare can be difficult. Whether it is a babysitter, neighbor or relative, finding someone available and willing to watch your children in the mornings and evenings when you are at work can be challenging. Before and after school care Severna Park MD programs provide quality supervision and academic support for kids when needed. They also offer children opportunities to socialize with other students, which improves their people skills and teaches them how to interact with others. Many afterschool programs also focus on physical activity, such as sports and group games. This allows kids to get more exercise and discover activities that they enjoy. This is a great way to decompress and have fun after a long school day.
Physical Activity
Children need about one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. This includes a mix of aerobic, muscle, and bone-strengthening exercises. It is well known that kids who exercise perform better academically. Even a half hour of cardiovascular exercises can help them solve problems up to 10 percent more efficiently. Many schools have cut back on recess and gym classes because of the coronavirus pandemic, so kids are getting less movement throughout their day. Fortunately, parents can encourage their schools to prioritize physical activity for kids by advocating on their behalf. Teachers can also promote better behavior and learning by incorporating short, three to five-minute “brain breaks” during lessons that require coordination. Walking to school, playing jumping jacks, or dancing can give kids a quick energy boost without distracting them from their studies.
Homework Help
Homework allows students to revise and practice lessons at a time of their choice. This allows for a clearer understanding of the subject matter and helps students retain more information. Monitoring homework can also help parents see how their children learn and their strengths and weaknesses. This information can be helpful to teachers, students, and parents to identify academic problems early on and establish a plan for success. One common objection to homework is that it can lead to student stress, especially among disadvantaged children who have already experienced higher levels of physical and emotional pressure than their peers from wealthier families. Additionally, excessive homework can lead to children missing important extracurricular activities and socializing. However, this can be avoided by encouraging children to seek out tutors and using various other resources to support them in their homework.
Leadership Skills
Many new insights into cognitive and neuroscience about how children acquire knowledge should inspire dramatic new strategies for learning in schools and other educational settings. Afterschool programs based on these insights could improve children’s academic performance and develop skills that last a lifetime. Afterschool programs should encourage children to be responsible, work with other kids and adults, build self-esteem, and use their creativity and imagination. These essential life-long learning skills will help them succeed in their careers and personal lives. Research shows children attending after-school programs have higher attendance rates and better grades. This is especially true for students who come from low-income families. Afterschool program attendance provides these children access to the same enrichment activities that middle-class children typically experience.
Sports
Sports are fast-paced activity that requires kids to make quick decisions. Whether a cricketer aiming for a four or a football player thinking about their best move to score a goal, making brisk decisions helps them perform better in school and work under pressure. Playing sports also teaches kids the importance of discipline. They have to juggle practice, games, team meetings, and homework, which gives them early training in time management. This helps them manage their own time and responsibilities later in life.
Additionally, sports teach kids the value of verbal and non–verbal communication. They learn to convey their ideas, hopes, and fears to their coaches and teammates. This helps them communicate better with teachers and peers as well.