Getting kids involved in good after school pursuits is important to childhood development. A well chosen program will supplement creative activities and seat work that the child does in school and can teach them new skills. Yet it will offer more than just keeping your child supervised, as a lifelong love for music, sports or the arts can develop. In this article, we’ll help you choose the right after-school activity for your child.
While it’s tempting to live vicariously through your child, it’s important that you put their interests first. When planning their after-school activity schedule, consult with them about new skills they’d like to learn and what their interests are. A child with a love of animals may want to volunteer at an animal shelter. Your little athlete may want to try a sport that he or she has never played before. Older kids may even want to get a part time job. No matter what the activity is, they should find it stimulating and enjoyable.
If you are supervising after school hours yourself, then take advantage of this time. Come up with a schedule of things-to-do based on your child’s needs and interests and assign a category for each day. For example, Mondays can be dedicated to sports or other physical pursuits, Tuesdays can be arts and crafts day, Wednesdays can be cooking day and so on. Look on the Internet and you will no doubt find 365 afterschool activities, or visit craft stores for ideas. It’s also a good idea to get your child’s friends involved in their favorite after-school pursuits. It encourages the kids to be social and it gives other parents a break.
Getting kids to eat healthy meals can be a chore in itself. You can get around even the most finicky eater by having them help plan the menu. Start by having them draw a pie chart that lays out the four food groups. Once they have a list of healthy food choices, have them put together a meal. You can help them by making healthy alternatives to popular kids’ dishes. Instead of greasy fish and chips, have breaded, baked fish fingers with oven fried sweet potato fries. Put a healthy spin on nachos by using baked organic tortillas smothered in fresh veggies and low fat sour cream. For a sweet treat, make your own granola bars with fresh oats, bran, nuts and fruit. Your kids will learn to make their favorite meals and snacks while you make sure they are getting a nutritious diet.
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Tags: activities after school, community center, community resources, educational resources, school art programs