Posts Tagged ‘community resources’

Lively Afterschool Activities

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Instead of sitting in front of a television or computer, or worse yet, hanging out at the mall, kids can use their time after classes let out to learn new skills. As a parent, your job is to make sure they have fun while they do it. Many school boards have cut back on extra-curricular activities and many families can’t afford the cost of private instruction, but you don’t have to spend big bucks to keep the kids busy. In this article, we’ll discuss some entertaining and economical afterschool activities.

Kick the Can is a classic game that gets kids moving while they have fun. Since so many schools are being forced to cut back on sports programs, it’s especially important that parents reinforce the importance of physical fitness. To play Kick The Can, you’ll need at least three players and a large, empty tin can like a spaghetti sauce can. Have all the players stand in line and choose one person to be “it.” Another player kicks the can as far as possible. While “it” retrieves the can, everyone else hides. “It” lays the can on the starting line and hunts for other players. Players may change hiding places at any time. When “it” finds a player, he or she calls out the name and location of the player and that person then becomes “it”. There are many variations of this game, so feel free to get creative with this and other afterschool activities.

Kids crafts, activity books and coloring pages are always fail proof activities, especially for younger children. To keep the older kids on schedule, have them make calendar bookmarks. You’ll need an old calendar, a glue stick, some cardboard or construction paper, a hole punch, and some bright ribbon or string. Cut the calendar into weekly segments and use a glue stick to stick the pieces to strips of colorful paper. Use the hole punch to make a hole on one end and loop a length of ribbon or string through it. Using a fine tip marker, the kids can write their favorite activities in the boxes that correspond to the day they do them. For example, Monday – gym class, Tuesday – piano lessons and so on. They can decorate their bookmarks with pictures and stickers too.

Kids usually have the munchies when they get home from school, so teach them to eat healthy by getting them busy in the kitchen. Nachos are a fun-to-make, kid-friendly snack; you can even make them for dinner! Brown some ground beef, drain the fat, and add some mild taco sauce or salsa. For a vegetarian version, substitute black beans for the ground beef. On a pizza pan, layer some baked, whole grain tortilla chips with the meat and some grated cheese. Put it in the oven until the cheese melts. Serve the nachos with some low fat sour cream, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, re-fried beans and diced red or green peppers. Preparing this simple, yummy snack will teach kids the importance of incorporating the four food groups into their diet, show them how to follow a recipe, and introduce them to measurements. As a bonus, the kids will be eating a serving of fresh veggies without even knowing it!

If you’re not available to supervise your child’s projects after classes let out, then make up a list of things to do for their caregiver and provide a bag of supplies. If you opt for an after school club, make sure it involves physical activities that will benefit your child. Afterschool activities can play an important role in a child’s development, so make sure they have fun and use the time wisely.

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Affordable After School Kids Activities

Monday, July 5th, 2010

After school kids activities are the perfect way to keep your children supervised and productive until you get home from work. However, budget cutbacks have forced schools to reduce the number of programs offered. This can put sports and arts programs out of the reach of low income families. However, there are less expensive alternatives to these programs that are every bit as good. In this article, we’ll show you how to find these inexpensive yet immensely valuable services in your community.

The first step in finding inexpensive after-school activities for kids is researching your local community resources. Many schools, churches and recreation centers offer great programs for a nominal fee. These programs can include swimming, martial arts, arts and crafts and music. Speak to other parents about the programs that their kids are involved in. Some organizations will offer group rates or discounts to families with two or more children. Registering early can also save you cash. Many teams and schools offer a discount to families who are willing to commit early and register by a certain date. For older children, you may want to consider getting them involved with a community service that needs volunteers. They can volunteer at hospitals, libraries, senior citizen homes, or even coaching or supervising an after school club for younger kids.

As schools struggle to cope with budget cuts, sports have been cut to a bare minimum. Consequently, parents have to pay big bucks so that their kids can play in private leagues. Before you start shelling out money on fees and expensive equipment for after school kids activities, take a good look at what the local schools offer. Some may have scaled down programs where all you have to pay for is a uniform. If you do have to go to another resource for sports programs, consider the YMCA and YWCA. They offer programs for kids of all ages at a relatively low cost. Your child may not receive as much individual coaching as he or she would in a private league, but it’s still a good place for positive child development and to have fun.

Paying for instructors is a big portion of the cost of after-school activities. Instead of paying through the nose for one-on-one instruction, consider asking the skilled and talented people that you know to be a coach or teacher. Is your neighbor a great piano player? Perhaps you have a friend who learned to swim before they could walk! They may do it for a small fee or a barter arrangement, or you might get lucky and find that they’ll do it for free just for the love of the activity.

Technology can be a lifesaver when it comes to cutting back on the cost of after school kids activities. Instead of paying for pricey personal instruction, look into online music lessons or lessons on DVD. There are a number of music websites offering acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano and keyboard tutorials for a low and affordable price. To save even more money, buy used instruments instead of new ones. You can also rent or lease the instrument until you are sure that your child is committed to playing it. This is a great way to expose your kids to the joy of music without making you sing the blues over the cost of expensive lessons.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital wart removal. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating to genital warts home remedy. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.

Create A Do-It-Yourself After School Program

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Every day, millions of kids are left without proper supervision after school. Some watch TV or play video games, and some do homework, but others get into trouble. Studies have shown that cuts to after school, extracurricular activities have a direct relation to gangs, drugs and violence among youth. Not all families can afford an after school program, so they have to find creative and less expensive ways to keep their kids occupied. In this article, we’ll share some cost effective ways to keep your children safe and productive once classes let out.

The most important part of all community programs for kids is fun. Ideally, after school programs should allow kids to have new experiences that aren’t a part of their normal creative activities and seat work day in school. This can include sports, music, dance, drama, or learning a new language. If you want to start an effective after-school community program, then look at where there is a need or want. Do the kids want to learn how to play basketball? Is skateboarding popular in community? Motivation is the key to success. Children who like the activity and choose it will work harder and do well. To make the program successful, you need coordinators who are skilled in the activity and are strong leaders.

Running your program out of a school has a number of benefits, including easy access for students, lots of space, and access to materials and school printables, as well as equipment. You’ll have to meet with the principal to discuss your idea and encourage his or her participation in the planning. Choose a time that does not conflict with other sponsored programs. You also must be very clear about liability and safety responsibilities. Establish a “contract” that details the ground rules for your program and make sure that all parties agree on all fronts.

Once you have the logistics out of the way, it’s time to let the community know about each and every after school program that you are making available to them. Your afterschool alliance resources can include local schools, community centers, churches and local businesses. Start by posting flyers around the community. Make sure that they are bright and attention grabbing, and include all of the information that parents will need to get their kids registered, and be very clear about any fees involved. You may even want to hold an event like a car wash or bake sale to raise awareness and some money to fund your programs.

An after school program can be a great way to round out a child’s education. These programs can expose them to new activities that they never get to experience in a classroom. Most importantly, a quality program should be fun and engaging. Popular programs include computers, art, kids crafts, music classes, and opportunities for children to perform community service. Always keep an open dialogue with parents and take their concerns and comments to heart. Listening to them and the kids is the best way to make your program an invaluable service to the community.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital wart treatment. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating gential warts removal. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.

Choosing The Right Activities For After School

Friday, June 4th, 2010

A major concerns for busy working parents is choosing the right activities for after school. There are so many factors to consider, such as cost, proper supervision, age appropriateness, personal development and enjoyment. Choosing the right activity can open up a whole new world to your child if they love how they’re spending their time. In this article, we’ll share some helpful advice on how to make your child’s extracurricular activities both productive and fun.

Choosing kid’s activities for after school takes a little thought and planning. No matter where you live, money is tight in the school systems. This often means cutting back on sports, music and arts program. Good after school activities can fill in this gap in your children’s education and your child’s interests should be your first consideration. No matter how much you may want a child prodigy, he or she simply won’t enjoy or excel in an activity they are forced to do. Child development and health should also be a factor. If children spend too much time in front of the computer or playing video games, then this could be a good opportunity to get them out of this sedentary lifestyle by enrolling them in a sport or dance class.

When choosing an after school activity, you should consider how much of your time as a parent will be involved. Will you need to drop off and/or pick them up, participate in games, shows, or recitals? Will you be required to volunteer as a coach, driver or fundraiser? If some of these activities involve going out of town, it can be very time consuming. Be very clear about how much time you can commit to these activities by speaking to the program coordinators before you sign up. You should also think about how much time your child has to commit to the activity. Activities such as learning an instrument requires practice, yet kids still need time to be kids. Don’t get them involved with activities that are too advanced for their age or ability, as it will be frustrating for the child instead of enjoyable.

For most families, especially those with several children, cost is a big factor when choosing after school activities. The cost of music lessons and instruments, or sports and equipment can be substantial. If a school sponsored activity isn’t an option, then look to your local community center for programs or after school clubs. Many offer excellent physical fitness courses like swimming, dance, yoga for kids, kids crafts and even martial arts. The costs are amazingly low and the programs are taught by qualified instructors. You can also look into churches and charities. Having your child volunteer for a worthy cause is an excellent way to keep them busy while teaching them new skills.

If you’re looking for fun and unusual activities for after school that will expand your child’s horizons, then consider an acting workshop, space camp, a photography club or even a class that teaches them a new language and culture. The main goal should be your child’s enjoyment. Speak to the child about what they are interested in learning and then enroll them in an activity from which they will benefit, yet enjoy.

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Fun & Easy After-School Activities

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Parents should never underestimate the importance of extra-curricular activities to their child’s education. It’s during these hours that they can be introduced to a lifelong love of music, sports and the arts. With schools being forced to do more with less, after-school activities have been the first thing to go. Consequently, families must stretch their imaginations and budgets to keep the kids busy. In this article, we’ll share some ideas for fun and inexpensive projects for the children.

Since many schools are cutting back on sports programs, try to incorporate physical games into your child’s after-school activities. Sports not only get their hearts pumping, but it teaches kids the importance of cooperation and team spirit. Rope jumping contests, relay races, wrestling matches, Frisbee throws, or games of basketball are all popular options. To encourage kids to participate, pick up some activity books and fun toys, or arts and crafts items from a dollar store and give them away as prizes. Parents can take turns supervising the programs.

Arts and kids crafts can introduce children to a wide range of subjects like art, music, science and nature. You’ll be able to find countless ideas on the Internet. To teach your kids how to tell time, have them make clock-face place mats with moving pipe cleaner parts. All you need is some construction paper, a marker, and some pipe cleaners. Want to share your love of gardening? Have the kids grow a bean sprout in a paper cup. Or, combine cooking and science by making homemade ice cream!

Filling kids with nutritious food is as important to child development as making sure they get enough physical activity. However, getting them to eat what’s good for them can be mission impossible! It helps to have your children participate in building a healthy menu for the family. Homemade granola bars are a healthy treat and making them teaches kids how to follow a recipe and introduces them to measurements. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of quick cooking rolled oats, a can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of wheat germ, 3/4 cup natural bran, 1/2 cup of oat bran and 1/2 cup of melted margarine. If you wish, you can also add a handful of raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, or your favorite dried fruit. For a sweeter treat, add chocolate chips. Press the mixture into a metal baking sheet and bake in a 375 degree over for about 15-20 minutes. When it’s cool, cut it into bars and serve with milk or juice.

After-school activities are an essential part of a child’s personal development. It teaches them skills that they may not learn in the classroom, encourages them to develop socially by forming friendships with other children, and it may also give you the chance to spend more time together. Speak to your child about subjects that interest them and find a project that develops that interest. Whether it’s sports, music, the arts or science, getting your child involved with a variety of programs outside of school is sure to enhance their life.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital warts remedies. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating genital warts cream. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.

Choosing Your Kids Activities

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Keeping the kids safe and productive after school is a big challenge for busy parents. With cutbacks to school sports, music and arts programs, many families have no choice but to fall back on the television or computer games as a means of childcare. However, you can develop your own after school kids activities at just a fraction of the cost by working with other parents who are facing the same challenges that you are. In this article, we’ll share ideas for some fun and cost efficient ways to enhance child development and entertain the kids after school.

Your child’s interests and aptitudes should be your first priority when choosing after-school activities for kids. Talk to them about subjects that they would like to explore and build their after school schedule around those topics. Also take into account things that are important to you. While you shouldn’t force a child to participate in an activity simply because it’s something that you like, there’s nothing wrong with insisting that an overweight child participate in a physical activity. In fact, having them participate in an activity that they enjoy is the ideal way to combat such problems. Come up with a list of options and ask them to choose a program that they would like to be involved in. Try to find a balance between fun and education.

A child’s education should not be limited to books and the classroom. It’s important to a child to have an activity with which they can socialize with other kids. Enrolling your child in an extracurricular activity encourages self-discipline, as well as promoting development of skills. Take advantage of school sponsored extracurricular activities like outdoor sports, book clubs, music and drama. Consult teachers about these programs and plan ahead for the cost of uniforms and equipment. You may be able to share the cost with other parents or buy the necessary equipment at second-hand stores.

Never was there a kid who didn’t enjoy arts and crafts! Even if it’s something simple like coloring pages, kids love to use their imagination to create something that they can keep and enjoy. If you have a little dynamo at home, have them create their own superhero identity and I.D. card. Use construction paper, markers, glitter, glue, and stickers to create a badge that your child can flash around the neighborhood. If you have a computer savvy kid, then have them design stickers for their notebooks and sports equipment.

After-school kids activities are a great way to help reduce your child’s unsupervised time, thus lowering his or her risk of getting into trouble, like juvenile crime. Projects that benefit other people in the community are an outstanding, ongoing activity for young people. Is your street littered with trash? Get the local kids together and organize a community clean-up day. Is there a disabled neighbor or senior citizen in need of some help in the yard? Give the kids a lesson about nature by planting and maintaining a flower bed or vegetable garden. These projects teach children new skills while instilling appreciation for the community in which they live.

Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the acid reflux wedge field. His work has been extensively published in various online publications in the areas of acid reflux wedge. For more information on the treatment, visit remedyforacidreflux.com.

Fun & Easy After-School Activities

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

You’re not alone if you don’t know what to do with the kids after school. Many families depend on television, computers and video games to keep the kids busy, but there are far more productive and fun ways for them to spend their time. Playing games, learning a new skill, or playing a backyard sport is a good way to get your kids active. In this article, we’ll talk about some after-school activities that your kids can participate in, such as an after school club.

Since many schools are cutting back on sports programs, try to incorporate physical games into your child’s after-school activities. Sports not only get their hearts pumping, but it teaches kids the importance of cooperation and team spirit. Rope jumping contests, relay races, wrestling matches, Frisbee throws, or games of basketball are all popular options. To encourage kids to participate, pick up some activity books and fun toys, or arts and crafts items from a dollar store and give them away as prizes. Parents can take turns supervising the programs.

Arts and kids crafts can introduce children to a wide range of subjects like art, music, science and nature. You’ll be able to find countless ideas on the Internet. To teach your kids how to tell time, have them make clock-face place mats with moving pipe cleaner parts. All you need is some construction paper, a marker, and some pipe cleaners. Want to share your love of gardening? Have the kids grow a bean sprout in a paper cup. Or, combine cooking and science by making homemade ice cream!

Filling kids with nutritious food is as important to child development as making sure they get enough physical activity. However, getting them to eat what’s good for them can be mission impossible! It helps to have your children participate in building a healthy menu for the family. Homemade granola bars are a healthy treat and making them teaches kids how to follow a recipe and introduces them to measurements. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of quick cooking rolled oats, a can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of wheat germ, 3/4 cup natural bran, 1/2 cup of oat bran and 1/2 cup of melted margarine. If you wish, you can also add a handful of raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, or your favorite dried fruit. For a sweeter treat, add chocolate chips. Press the mixture into a metal baking sheet and bake in a 375 degree over for about 15-20 minutes. When it’s cool, cut it into bars and serve with milk or juice.

After-school activities are an essential part of a child’s personal development. It teaches them skills that they may not learn in the classroom, encourages them to develop socially by forming friendships with other children, and it may also give you the chance to spend more time together. Speak to your child about subjects that interest them and find a project that develops that interest. Whether it’s sports, music, the arts or science, getting your child involved with a variety of programs outside of school is sure to enhance their life.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital warts remedies. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating genital warts medication. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.

Choosing Your Kids Activities

Friday, March 5th, 2010

After school activities don’t have to be school sponsored. Clubs and programs can be run by a local community center, church or nonprofit organization. If you’re on a tight budget, then you can come up with an at-home program that teaches all the same skills and values that an organized program would. Kids activities can expose your children to new experiences and keep them out of trouble. In this article, we’ll show you how to use existing resources to create your own after school programs.

Your child’s interests and aptitudes should be your first priority when choosing after-school activities for kids. Talk to them about subjects that they would like to explore and build their after school schedule around those topics. Also take into account things that are important to you. While you shouldn’t force a child to participate in an activity simply because it’s something that you like, there’s nothing wrong with insisting that an overweight child participate in a physical activity. In fact, having them participate in an activity that they enjoy is the ideal way to combat such problems. Come up with a list of options and ask them to choose a program that they would like to be involved in. Try to find a balance between fun and education.

A child’s education should not be limited to books and the classroom. It’s important to a child to have an activity with which they can socialize with other kids. Enrolling your child in an extracurricular activity encourages self-discipline, as well as promoting development of skills. Take advantage of school sponsored extracurricular activities like outdoor sports, book clubs, music and drama. Consult teachers about these programs and plan ahead for the cost of uniforms and equipment. You may be able to share the cost with other parents or buy the necessary equipment at second-hand stores.

Encourage your kids to let their imaginations go wild with fun and exciting artwork and kids crafts. Create little critters using beads, glue and walnut shells. Turn old calendars into bookmarks that they can keep their schedules on. Or, decorate an empty plastic pop bottle with pine cones and use it as a bird feeder. If you’re stuck for ideas, you are likely to find 365 afterschool activities for your kids on the Internet. You’ll find countless printable stencils, downloadable programs and ideas for projects that will keep your kids captivated.

It’s important to remember that extra curricular programs should not become a burden for your child and that they still need time to be kids. If classes and practices start to make your kids too tired or stressed out, or begins to interfere with their schoolwork, then it’s time to cut back. Kids activities should be enjoyable, so don’t make it a chore. Keep the lines of communication open and be sure that your child loves what they’re doing.

Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in acid reflux medication field. His work has been extensively published in various online publications in this area. For more information on the treatment, visit remedyforacidreflux.com.

Make Your Own After School Programs

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

When kids are left to their own devices after school they can sometimes get themselves into trouble. Studies show that after school hours are the prime time for youth crime, juvenile violence and accidents involving minors. To keep your kids safe until you come home, consider developing an affordable, after-school schedule of activities. This is an excellent way to expose your children to new experiences and to keep them out of trouble. In this article, we’ll show you how to use existing resources to create your own after school programs.

A child’s education should go beyond the classroom and outside of regular school hours. Most schools offer extracurricular activities like outdoor sports, book clubs, music and drama. Speak to teachers at the beginning of the year about the programs that are offered through the education system and find out about any fees and costs involved. Planning ahead for these expenses and doing things like buying used equipment, cost sharing with other parents, and putting aside extra money can greatly relieve the budget burden of after-school activities for kids.

You should also speak to your kids about things that interest them and find out what they want to learn more about. Come up with a list of options and ask them to choose a program that they would like to be involved in. Try to find a balance between fun and education. Forcing your child to participate in something that they don’t enjoy will only make them resent the activity. Look for things that seem to interest a lot of kids like skate boarding, music, collecting hockey cards, or making jewelry, as the benefits of after school programs cannot be stressed enough.

After school programs can be as educational as any classroom lesson, but they also need to be fun and less structured, as new skills should to be taught in a way that’s entertaining. Ideally, it should also involve interaction with other kids so that social growth and development is encouraged. Visual aids like interactive games, DVDs, the Internet and television shows are excellent tools for teaching younger children and keeping them entertained. After they view the material, have them put it into context with interesting activities like playing an instrument, drawing pictures or even play acting.

After school programs and projects that benefit the community offer an outstanding opportunity for children to gain a world of new experiences. Develop a community newspaper and have the kids write stories and take pictures. They can be little reporters by interviewing local business people and social services about what’s going on in their community. Is there a senior citizen who needs some help around the house? Teach kids about simple household chores by having them do some yard work or by painting a fence. If a holiday is coming up, have the kids make cards for seniors, bake cookies for a homeless shelter, or put on a play. These activities are invaluable because they teach children new skills while instilling respect and appreciation for the community in which they live.

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Affordable After School Kids Activities

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

After school kids activities is a conundrum for countless parents. Studies show that the hours between 3 and 7 during the week are the prime time for violent juvenile crime, the period during which kids are most likely to become the victims of violent crime or be involved in accidents. So, how do you keep your children safe, supervised and out of trouble when you can’t afford costly childcare or extracurricular activities? The answer is easier than you think. In this article, we’ll discuss a number of productive and inexpensive ways to keep your kids busy until you get home.

The first step in finding inexpensive after-school activities for kids is researching your local community resources. Many schools, churches and recreation centers offer great programs for a nominal fee. These programs can include swimming, martial arts, arts and crafts and music. Speak to other parents about the programs that their kids are involved in. Some organizations will offer group rates or discounts to families with two or more children. Registering early can also save you cash. Many teams and schools offer a discount to families who are willing to commit early and register by a certain date. For older children, you may want to consider getting them involved with a community service that needs volunteers. They can volunteer at hospitals, libraries, senior citizen homes, or even coaching or supervising an after school club for younger kids.

With after school kids activities that involve sports, consider going with quality used equipment, since children can outgrow gear quickly. A new pair of hockey skates can cost more than $150 and that’s a lot of money for a family with two or three kids who want to hit the ice! You can find good used equipment by speaking to the team coach for recommendations. You can also visit used sports equipment stores, eBay and consignment stores. You can also trade or sell equipment that you have at home to offset the costs. Shopping off season is also a great way to save money. You can save a bundle by buying equipment at the end of a season and storing it until the following year.

Paying for instructors is a big portion of the cost of after-school activities. Instead of paying through the nose for one-on-one instruction, consider asking the skilled and talented people that you know to be a coach or teacher. Is your neighbor a great piano player? Perhaps you have a friend who learned to swim before they could walk! They may do it for a small fee or a barter arrangement, or you might get lucky and find that they’ll do it for free just for the love of the activity.

After school kids activities have been among the first items of household expenditures to be reduced or cut as parents try to save money in the recession. However, this doesn’t have to mean that you cut back on the experiences your child can have. It may take a little time and effort, but you can find excellent programs at a reduced cost. You should also look into grants or financial aid available to low income families. Some dance class schools, programs for kids crafts, sports teams, and music schools offer scholarships and financial aid for students. It’s a good way to offset the rising costs of keeping your kids busy after school.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in cure for genital warts. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating medications of genital warts. For more information on genital wart remedies, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.