Participating in after-school activities does more than just fill up time. As AfterSchool.gov reports, participation in after-school activities has been tied to everything from improving grades to reducing the likelihood that children get in trouble with the law. The main reason for this benefit, purports this source, is that children who participate in after-school activities are monitoring during these hours whereas students who do not may be venturing home to an empty house where there is no supervision.
After-school activities are not one-size-fits-all, but instead come in a variety of forms. Children interested in participating in these activities can select from everything from sporting options such as school-sponsored or intermural athletic teams to more creative choices like drama clubs or art classes. When helping their children pick the perfect activity, parents should make it clear to their potentially reluctant children just how many options they have, proving to them that regardless of their interests there are available activities that they would enjoy.
Choosing the right after-school activity is vital to ensuring not only that children remain involved in the activity but also that children are safe when doing so. Scholastic recommends that parents consider an assortment of factors when determining appropriateness. They should first look at the adult to child ratio to see how well-monitored their children will be. They should also check out the space in which the activity will be held, checking for hidden hazards and ensuring that the environment itself is a safe one. Checking with kids (and their parents) who currently take part in the activity is also a wise choice to find out if it is fun and safe.
For children to reap the benefits of involvement in after-school activities, parents must not only present the opportunity for involvement but also encourage them to take part in these activities. Whenever possible, parents should appear enthusiastic about the activities in which their children express interest, encouraging their youngsters to continue participation in these potentially beneficial pastimes.