{"id":5647,"date":"2011-09-16T06:22:08","date_gmt":"2011-09-16T06:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parentingtoday.com\/anew\/?page_id=5647"},"modified":"2019-07-23T16:43:58","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T23:43:58","slug":"after-school-programs-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/childdevelopmentinfo.com\/learning\/after-school-programs-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"After School Programs – Help Grow Healthy & Successful Kids\/Teens"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You can’t sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough\u00a0for the overall development of your child. It’s the age of specialization\u00a0and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity.\u00a0So, scour your community<\/a>\u00a0for the most advantageous programs and enroll them\u00a0for the ones you think are the best.<\/p>\n

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a\u00a0skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be\u00a0educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they aim to keep the child active and interested.<\/p>\n

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it\u00a0widens your child’s area of interests. He or she is introduced to new\u00a0things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art\u00a0form or a new skill increases the child’s self-esteem<\/a>. It also allows you\u00a0to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music\u00a0class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career\u00a0out of it in the long run.<\/p>\n

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs.\u00a0Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new\u00a0friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of\u00a0these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on\u00a0stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child.<\/p>\n

After school programs keep your teenager busy. They have\u00a0some\u00a0amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol.\u00a0Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing\u00a0activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant\u00a0increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates\u00a0are other advantages of a good after school programs.<\/p>\n

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more\u00a0adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with\u00a0adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and\u00a0teachers, but may open up with other adults.<\/p>\n

Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they\u00a0reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about\u00a015% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their\u00a0children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With\u00a0cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of\u00a0many after school programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child\u00a0entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming\u00a0addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy\u00a0and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the\u00a0overall personality of the child.\u00a0 \u00a0 Here are some resources for looking for and evaluating after school programs<\/a>:<\/p>\n