Your Family @ Home

The last bell has rung and school is out, but most parents will tell you that there’s still a lot of day left. And not much good can come from young kids looking to fill idle time. However, there is an option available for parents wanting to expose their children to fun, character-building activities. California public schools offer a wide range of after-school programs designed to educate and enrich the minds of any child willing to learn.

What are the benefits?
    According to a 2002 report by the California Department of Education, students who took part in after-school learning programs showed marked improvement in 3 important areas: attendance, achievement and behavior. The report entitled “Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Programs” also notes that students who took part in these programs experienced “improved social skills and behavior, reduced disciplinary incidents at school and reduced suspensions among participating students.”

The makings of a good program
    According to the California Department of Education’s publicly funded After-School Education and Safety (ASES) program, there are 2 important types of after-school programs. The first offers what is termed an educational and literacy element. This means that the program should “provide tutoring and/or homework assistance designed to help students meet state standards in 1 or more...core academic subjects.”  
    The second program option should offer what is called an educational enrichment element. This type of course will offer activities that serve as a complement to the school’s academic program. Educational enrichment may include, but is not limited to, positive youth development strategies, recreation and prevention activities. Such activities might involve the visual and performing arts, music, physical activity, health and nutrition, and general recreation.
Before you decide…
    Familiarize yourself with the program’s curriculum. Introduce yourself to the staff and ask questions that will help you gauge whether or not your child’s needs and interests are compatible with the focus of the class.
    Seek programs that will build upon a talent or skill that your child already has. For example, if your child has an affinity for geography, a foreign-language class may further enrich her interest in other cultures.
    Communicate with others. If possible, talk with other parents and students who are participating in the program to learn their opinions. Ask questions, such as, “Why do you think this program has been so good for your child?”
    Observe the facility in its natural state, without your child present, in order to get a feel for how the program operates. Is it too hectic, loud or chaotic for your solitude-seeking youngster? Or is the environment so structured and orderly, your free-spirited child will feel stifled and inhibited?
    Consider a program that will challenge your child in areas where he needs improvement. If math is a touchy subject in your household, sign on for an after-school tutoring program that will not only reinforce the day’s lessons, but will also give him a “leg up” on what he will see the following day.

    Kerri S. Mabee is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Inland Empire Family Magazine.


By the numbers


3.3 million
The number of children between the ages of 6 and 12 who regularly spend time without adult supervision.

3-6 p.m.
The prime time for violent juvenile crime.

94
Percentage of voters who believe there should be some type of organized after-school activities for kids.

$1,500-$2,500
The average annual cost of a quality after-school program.

    Taken from “After-School All-Stars” at afterschoolallstars.org.