After school programs can keep children safe by protecting them from negative peer pressure. Latchkey children, who would otherwise be left home without supervision, will have an adult mentor to supervise them. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Center, "juveniles are at the highest risk of being a victim of violence between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and the peak hour for juvenile crime is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the first hour that most students are dismissed from school." Students are less likely to skip school and experiment with dangerous activities such as drugs, alcohol or sexual activity. A UCLA evaluation of an after-school initiative found that students with higher levels of participation in the after school program, LA's Best, had better school attendance and higher test scores.
After school activities help adolescents to further develop their social skills. This will reflect in the way they interact with their peers, their siblings, parents and other adult mentors. Children learn about teamwork, camaraderie, following rules and sportsmanship. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center explains that "after school programs offer children and youth opportunities to learn new skills such as conflict resolution, prepare for a successful career, improve grades and develop relationships with caring adults. These skills can be critical in helping youth develop in positive ways and to avoid behavior problems and conflict."
Many after school activities involve participation in a sports programs. These programs build confidence through teamwork and provide hours of physical exercise to children each week. Physical activity also promotes healthy eating habits. "Exercise and sports are rare institutions that offer tremendous social relationships, physical challenges and honest competition," according to edietstar.com. Research on the benefits of sports and exercise for girls has shown that "athletically active girls develop increased self-esteem and confidence, are more likely to finish high school and college, and have ahealthier body image." The Women's Sports Foundation has found "that females participating in sports are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers and they suffer less depression, and are less likely to develop breast cancer or osteoporosis."
There are many after school programs that focus on a student's scholastic ability. These include homework enrichment activities and the use of private tutors. Your student may also choose to participate in a contest such as a spelling bee, quiz bowl or social studies fair. All of these activities will enrich students' classroom learning and teach kids how to pursue knowledge for themselves.
It is possible to put too much pressure on a child by participating in more after school activities that he can handle. If your child complains that he cannot handle all the activities, let him choose which activities to join. Particularly if a student's grades are failing as a result of extra-curricular activities, it is a good idea to cut back. Performance in the classroom should take priority over performance on the field or outside of class.