3 Reasons Every Child Should be Involved in an After School Program

Raising children is a never-ending job that can be as rewarding as it is stressful at times. Schools offer a place for them to learn and grow, but unfortunately many parents are still not around when they get out as they are forced to work long hours or simply hold non-traditional hour jobs. In fact, estimates suggest fewer than one-in-three children today have a full-time, stay-at-home parent. This is when after school programs and child care management come into play.

Some parents can afford home daycare software and child care management systems, but unfortunately that’s simply not the case for everyone. In these cases after school programs like sports, clubs, school band, and other functions can fill a vital role in their personal development.

Here are three reasons every parent should think about encouraging their children to get involved with after school programs.

1. Develop New Skills: There are plenty of studies that indicate the more children are involved with with these types of after school programs the better off they are. From new skills be learned to ones they already have being developed, sports, clubs, and programs can help kids develop a litany of crucial skills relevant to life and school.
2. Keep Them Out of Trouble: Probably the most common reason people think of when it comes to disruptive kids and after school programs is the other things they could potentially get into if they aren’t doing something else. It’s just an inherent fact of life that humans tend to get bored and find things to do if there isn’t something to fill the void. This can often times take the form of less than desirable activities unless a constructive one if found.
3. Forge New Friendships: Finally, one of the best things that can come from these type of programs and activities are the incredible friendships that can be formed. Many times friends are made solely on the basis of who’s around you. Neighbors, classmates etc. Getting involved in a new group can introduce kids to new people they otherwise might have never even known existed.

More than two-thirds of Americans agree that the government or businesses should be doing more to help fund child care for working parents, but as they get older it’s up to the parents to help their kids find something productive to do with their free time. These are just a few of the great reasons to get them into an after school program of some kind.