After-school clubs have played an integral role in childhood for many years now. The last school bell rings and then we freely dash off to our after-school club or activity. In fact, in the beginning, it was just a means to supervise children while parents were still at work, but now it has evolved into so much more. As a result, it has become the norm and parents want to know what to look for in choosing the best after-school clubs for kids today.
Here are some key elements that should be considered in the decision-making process:
– Staff
– Environment
– Programs
– Self Development
– Relationships
Together, these elements will help in narrowing down your selection of clubs and activities and provide the assurance that you and your child need when choosing the best after-school club. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at each.
Programs
After-school clubs cover a wide range of activities and interests such as sports, hobbies, academics, etc. The school day accounts for the academic enrichment of your child, while after-school clubs provide more transformative experiences. Moreover, after-school programs can have a positive impact on a child’s emotional and social development. Children who participate in a variety of activities can improve their skill level, gain confidence, build healthy friendships, and discover new areas of interest.
Keep in mind that what may appeal to you on the list of clubs may not appeal to your child.
While you want to expose your child to new experiences, you also want to be mindful of who your child is; according to Roseanne Lesack, a licensed psychologist and the director of a child psychology clinic at Nova Southern University in Florida. You must ask yourself what do you want your child to get out of the program? Will it appeal to them? (Care.com) After-school clubs should not only benefit you as the parent but should also support your child’s interests and development.
After-school clubs can help to engage children in activities that will develop their academic, social, emotional, and professional skills — as well as teach your child to be independent. Having a well-established routine builds confidence, familiarity, and independence in children.
Research has shown that children who participate in a quality after-school program are more likely to attend and stay in school. They complete their homework on time and achieve higher grades. (WashingtonPost.com) In general, as a parent, you will applaud the effort made to encourage and motivate children to “get off social media and video games” and into clubs that expose them to activities they might not otherwise experience.
The activities that children and youth participate in outside of school hours are crucial to their overall development, placing a strong emphasis on the need for good after-school programs in every community. After-school programs are now in high demand, with almost 10.2 million children and youth participating in an after-school program each year, with 10 million attending summer camps and 6 million participating in programs from grade 4 up to high school. (Youth.gov)
Staff
When looking for the best after-school club for your child, look for one that has a great staff. You want to know that the staff at your child’s club not only enriches his or her life but is also trustworthy to look after him or her. Great staff will also hold your child accountable in the completion of activities or studies with adequate follow-through. You want somebody you can rely on to keep your child on track. Communication is essential in after-school staff-parent connections. Reports on a child’s progress and development may be given to parents by staff.
After-school staff and educators carefully arrange these programs to guarantee that children return. The best after-school programs recognize that schools alone cannot educate and care for our children but that their success is a collaborative effort with the schools and teachers to achieve this goal and produce activities that enhance and complement, but do not replicate, the school day.
Environment
Working families, single-parent families, and businesses alike, all benefit from after-school programs that provide a safe environment for children while they are still at work. The best after-school clubs will provide a caring and safe environment for kids. And participation in an after-school program results in increased adult supervision, which helps children feel safer and minimizes instances of being left unaccompanied with peers outside of school and engaging in risky behaviors.
A safe atmosphere is a key feature to look for in the best after-school programs. You want to make sure that your child is secure between the time that the last school bell rings and parents arrive home from work. You know where they will be, and you will have the necessary contact information in case you need to get a hold of them. There is no possibility of them leaving school unattended or unaccounted for if they have a scheduled activity to go to. (PikMyKid.com) Activities are supervised and organized allowing children to be monitored.
Relationships
An after-school club allows your child to meet new people and build new friendships. Being away from school might even provide a reprieve from the normal cliques or social pressures. Relationships both within and outside of school are critical to your child’s mental well-being. The best after-school clubs can develop your child’s interaction with their teacher or staff members.
Participating in an after-school program may help a kid learn how to communicate with others, build interpersonal skills, and learn how to be respectful to others.
The programs can help foster the development of positive character traits and teamwork. A solid relationship between the child and teacher or staff member will help them feel more at ease. Being able to trust adult figures at school makes the child more confident. The ability to trust adult figures in school encourages children to raise inquiries and share concerns. Opening this communication between a kid and a trusted adult has saved many from having to cope with difficulties such as bullying, poor self-esteem, or family problems on their own.
Self-Development
Many children battle with confidence, especially in their pre-teen and adolescent years. Participating in after-school programs with their peers encourages them to establish and sustain relationships. Some of a child’s best pals are developed during their elementary and middle school years. Getting out and participating in activities while also connecting with peers is a terrific way to build self-esteem in children and a great way to spend time.
There are also chances for kids to become leaders in their respective clubs or activity. Your child will develop a more active voice if they have solid communication skills and are assertive. According to a Boys and Girls Club survey, 82% of children in their program have participated in leadership roles such as student council, overseeing activities or aiding in the office. (Youth.gov) Many of the kids who participate in after-school clubs and extracurricular activities are preparing for a future that will set them apart.
Be Strong After-School Program
Now that we’ve discussed the key elements in choosing the best after-school club for your child, let’s introduce one.
Be Strong International is a non-profit organization based in Miami-Dade County with a mission to guide individuals and families from brokenness to wholeness through the use of educational services and resources that help them develop and maintain healthy relationships. Be Strong has a strong devotion to youth and parents in the communities and provides several programs that cater to them. Their program, the After-School Club, aims to guide middle school children through the integration of holistic enrichment activities such as arts, academic support, and a unique curriculum that meets their social, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical needs. This club embodies all the important qualifications in your search for the best after-school club. The program includes:
– Academic Assistance by Certified Teachers
– Photography Classes
– Cooking Classes
– Dance Classes
– Heart Skills
– Field Trips
– Healthy Snacks
– Prizes
– Parent-Student Engagement Events
– End of Year Showcase
– And More!
For more information click here Be Strong’s After-School Club. You will find a wealth of information about this program and others.
While you are here, be sure to check out Be Strong’s parenting programs that are aimed at helping to build healthy and strong parent-child relationships, whether you’re a single parent or a unit.
Be Strong International is always looking for volunteers to help lead the next generation and make a difference in their communities. Be a world changer click here to contact us for more information on becoming a volunteer.
