How To Choose Extracurricular Activities | K-12 schools

The gap between the end of school and the end of the work day can present a challenge for parents. This time after school, usually two to four hours, provides children with an opportunity to learn skills and explore their interests. But time, transportation, and cost sometimes get in the way.

A national survey earlier this year more than 2,000 parents and guardians K-8 showed that 65% have children enrolled in extracurricular activities. Interestingly, childcare was not the main motivation, according to the survey by the nonprofit parent support organization Learning heroes. The most frequently cited reason, cited by 74% of parents, was “to expose children to new experiences, ideas and perspectives beyond their daily lives at home and at school”.

“These providers play a dual role of childcare and enrichment,” says Karen Pittman, co-founder of the Youth Investment Forum, a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that children are ready for college and careers. “They are safe and nurturing places to learn for your child while you are at work.”

In some cases, extracurricular activities can also provide the necessary stability and a foundation for academic success. However, for every child in an after-school program in the United States, there are three more awaiting admission, according to the. Extracurricular Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

A household survey called America after 3 p.m. published by the organization in December 2020, which surveyed more than 30,000 families, revealed significant inequalities, with black and Latin children disproportionately missing out on after-school opportunities. Families who live in rural and urban areas with low incomes or who have limited incomes are also often underserved.

Yet even under these circumstances, education experts say parents can often find options.

Exploring a range of activities, rather than specializing in just one, is more beneficial for K-5 students, Pittman says. Once a child shows a particular interest in an activity, parents can then add more instruction or focus on it at home.

The same rule applies to sports, say experts. Parents should expose their children to many sports and then engage in a sport their child seems to be having fun at, says Sheila Ohlsson Walker, senior scientist at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University. Another option for parents is to choose a coach who focuses on fun, well-being, and character.

“When they can have fun early and learn to enjoy moving their bodies, they have this amazing built-in system for managing stress and mental health,” says Walker. “It’s important for everything in the long run.”

Extracurricular activities offer many benefits to elementary school children. They can lead to improved grades, school attendance and behavior, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

Students can put into practice what they learn in school (for example, reading a script for a drama class). They can explore different activities that may not be available elsewhere, such as STEM or dancing, and discover new interests. Additionally, since after-school programs are sometimes more diverse than classrooms, with students of different ages and backgrounds, children can develop empathy, communication and teamwork skills.

“This kind of group play is essential for socio-emotional development,” Pittman says.

Many parents struggle to manage the costs and transportation issues that come with trying to create a personalized range of interest-based activities. On the contrary, many families use facilities that offer a range of activities in one place.

Some schools offer “extended day” options that include supervised play time and basic activities such as drawing or painting. Other options include organizations like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America or local community centers, which offer a combination of activities that often include, in addition to childcare services, art, music, dance and sports, as well as assistance to children. homework and quiet time.

There are also more specific activities, which can be added to larger after-school programs. Sports teams, for example, usually require registration with a separate organization, such as a soccer or hockey league. Some parents also opt for private lessons in music or other subjects. The Learning Heroes survey indicates that parents use an average of two program providers to keep their children busy during after-school hours.

Education experts say there are many different options, although they caution that parents should choose organizations and instructors well versed in child development. “Don’t take your 5-year-old to take lessons with the conductor,” Pittman says.

Here are some suggestions for parents to investigate:

Shannon Christian, executive director of the Worland Youth Learning Center in rural Worland, Wyoming, has seen the power of after-school programs firsthand. It tells the story of an elementary school student who performed in school but was always at his best when he visited the center.

He eventually switched from traditional school to home schooling, but continued to follow the after-school program, where he enjoyed science and writing activities and helped teach other children. “If you could keep his mind engaged and challenged, he was an amazing kid,” says Christian.

Not all communities are fortunate to have a school like Worland, which accepts all students regardless of their ability to pay, and parents in these communities may have to work harder to find solutions after school. .

In urban areas, parents can check with coaches or teachers, who may be up to date with activities, or with the city’s parks and recreation department. The YMCA and Boys and Girls clubs are also often located where they can meet the greatest needs, Pittman says.

Schools, libraries, faith-based organizations and 4-H often have after-school programs in rural areas, and individuals sometimes offer home-based after-school care. Parents may also consider carpooling with other families to participate in sports or partnering with schools and organizations to launch new after-school programs in their community.

The Afterschool Alliance offers general advice for parents who are looking for or trying to create programs. Parents may be able to find local charities, organizations or subsidies subsidize new programs.