What Are your Kids Doing Essays - After-school Activity

What Are Your Kids Doing? More parents than ever these days are working outside of the home. This means that when the school bell rings, many children are left unsupervised and with no where to go but an empty house with no supervision. Not only that, but some parents are also struggling to provide adequate after school care. Either they cannot afford the monthly payments of a daycare, or the programs are just simply not available to them. However, this could be detrimental not only to children, but also society. Children cannot take care of themselves, and when left to their own devices, they could easily make the wrong decision when tempted. This is where after school programs come into play. Quality after school programs can have many benefits. Though not always immediately evident, the benefits for students include, increased learning, improved health, increased exposure to career choices, and enhanced social and psychological development. After school programs can play a large role in improving student achievement and motivation. Studies have shown that after school programs increase math skills, reading skills, and school attendance. Some health benefits are a decreased risk of teen parenthood and substance abuse, enhanced nutrition and wellness, and more opportunities to engage in fitness activities. After school programs are a great venue for career exploration because they are exposed to a variety of careers and related interests through targeted activities. Students also get higher aspirations for the future, including completing high school and college. There are several positive influences on social and psychological development, including less time spent watchi ng television, fewer behavioral problems in school, greater ability to handle conflicts, better social skills, improved self confidence, and reduced participation in gangs. Most of todays ?keyhole? children spend long hours without parental supervision. Crime peaks in the hours immediately after school. Children are prevented from indulging in delinquent behavior if they attend an after school program. If they did not have an engaging activity, children usually fall in bad company. Research has proved that peer pressure is the leading cause for alcoholism or substance abuse. Participating in after school activities develops the child's talents in arts or sport. By becoming skilled at it, he receives recognition and appreciation that boost his self esteem. Some of these programs coach for competitions too. The sense of achievement acts as a powerful motivator for excellence. After school activities discourage children form watching too much television and computer games. This has positive influence on the mental development. After school sports programs encourage children to participate in vigorous physical activity that they are sorely missing in the pr esent lifestyle. Thus, they are essential to fight the obesity academic. The stark fact that nearly 30% of kids under the age of 19 are overweight underlines the need for children to take up some sport for a couple of days a week. Sports build social skills like teamwork and coordination. Children acquire social awareness by working in a group. They learn how to become a responsible citizen by following rules. Socialization is another skill that they pick up. They learn the value of family ties as well as how to develop a positive relationship with elders. The supervisor or mentor is usually the guide and friend of the child. Children who attend after school programs develop better communication skills. They also learn how to think on their feet. Besides improving school attendance and academic performance, the programs reinforce school learning with practical application. The rewards of after school programs are not limited only to students. Many benefits can also be seen by the school itself and the community. Quality after school programs require partnerships with parents and the outside community. Specific benefits can include: increased business support and involvement, increased parental involvement and support of the school, increased student enrollments, improved school image, and decreased vandalism and delinquency. When community members are involved with the school more, they tend to become more supportive of the school and its mission. The following is a letter I wrote to Governor Granola last fall in regards to President Bush?s budget calls for a drastic cut in funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLCs) programs as well as transforming the federal after school initiative