Nowadays, the term “school” can be interpreted in various ways, and the school environment is no longer what children and adolescents are used to. The way they learn from their instructors, complete their homework, get evaluated, and interact with their peers have all changed.
Research shows that the impacts of afterschool programs on student outcomes can address some of these changes. You may be experiencing a different approach from one academic year to the next, and it can be challenging to anticipate the exact changes that you will encounter.
Afterschool programs can likely provide more support than ever before, especially for children who may need it. A typical example of an afterschool program offers a range of activities, such as soccer, drama, videography, poetry, coding, homework assistance, and arts and crafts activities. From managing online assignments to socializing and maintaining a routine, there are several areas to consider, and these programs can assist you in these aspects.
Utilizing unstructured afterschool hours into valuable learning time is one of the many advantages of a well-designed afterschool program.
Here are a few benefits:
Provides safe space and guidance
After-school programs can provide a sense of belonging and acceptance through positive relationships with others in the program or clubs. These programs offer a safe, positive, and supportive environment for kids to spend their time after school, which can be meaningful and productive. Additionally, keeping kids occupied in these programs can help prevent them from engaging in risky behavior. This is a huge relief for working parents, who can rest assured that their child is receiving high-quality care at their school.
Support academic endeavors
Statistics often show that these programs offer academic help and support, which help children who struggle with homework at home or who can’t start it until later in the day. Completing homework during afterschool programs can make evenings more enjoyable for both the child and their family.
Offer a different kind of education and skills development
Even if schools were flawless in their delivery of course content, ensured all students completed their assignments, and received top grades in exams, there would still be a need for after-school enrichment. This is because certain activities like coding courses or entrepreneurship classes are not offered by many schools. As a result, while summer camps are great options to help kids acquire skills in these areas during a single season, afterschool programs can provide the same opportunities throughout the school year.
Schools can have both positive and negative effects on student socialization. Many students attend school with the same group of peers, learn in the same classrooms, and eat lunch with the same friends. While this allows students to form meaningful relationships with their peers, it also means that they may not have many opportunities to be exposed to experiences outside of their social bubble.
With afterschool programs, kids can interact with different students. Even with online afterschool programs, collaboration, and interaction are often prioritized. Through these programs, students have the chance to discover new aspects of themselves, develop new skills, make new friends who share similar interests, and explore a variety of new experiences. The impact of after-school programs that promote personal and social skills can open doors that would have otherwise remained closed.
In addition to exploration and discovery, one huge benefit of any afterschool program is social time and relationship building. Due to the recent pandemic, many kids were unable to participate in many social activities and had been forced to stay indoors. While some students may be excited to go back to school to see their friends, physical distancing or lack of interaction during the lockdown may have caused others to
Afterschool programs can provide the social outlet that many kids are still craving, with the flexibility to dedicate more time to socializing while still making learning a top priority.
The “summer slide” concept suggests that children may experience a decline in certain skill areas when they are not attending school and engaging in learning activities. With the current uncertainty, inconsistency, and altered learning experiences, students may still be at risk of experiencing a decline in certain areas, even if they are back in school. Afterschool programs can play a role in preventing this decline by helping students stay sharp academically. Additionally, these programs can keep young minds stimulated by introducing them to new ideas and opportunities, fostering creativity and a hunger for knowledge.
Children require confidence, but it’s essential to have confidence in areas where it matters. It’s great if they perform well on academic assessments such as math and book reports, but does that confidence extend to their lives outside of the classroom? Are they feeling empowered to pursue their goals? A high-quality afterschool program that focuses on their interests and passions, can provide them with the opportunity to develop skills and gain confidence in areas that may have a more significant impact on their future
Although creativity is a beautiful thing, it can often be suppressed easily. Creative activities are often considered less important than essential tasks, such as attending class and completing homework, which takes precedence. As days go by, creative expression may fall by the wayside, and children may become stuck in a routine.
Afterschool programs can help reintroduce creativity into children’s daily routines, offering them an outlet for innovation, exploration, and, most importantly, fun. Children can regain confidence by rediscovering their creativity, which can help to enhance their overall well-being.
It’s important to remember that children need to have fun. Due to various reasons, including social distancing, many fun activities for kids have become, and remain, difficult to come by. The beauty of afterschool programs is that they provide a straightforward solution — an opportunity for kids to participate in exciting activities. It’s a simple reminder that even though fun options may be limited, they do still exist.
Afterschool programs go beyond academic learning and homework completion, as they also provide opportunities for children to express themselves freely and learn how to use their time productively. These programs prioritize not only academic performance or grades but also aim to create an enjoyable environment for learning and developing skills.
Let your kid benefit from an afterschool program at Karter School- Montessori Schools in Chantilly, Gainesville, and South Riding.
(703) 327-2003
(703) 754-0946
(703) 955-5337
(703) 430-8657
(720) 446-0177
