Now that school is back in session and families are adjusting to early mornings, it’s time to consider what happens after school. For many families, this means participating in extracurricular enrichment activities.
Participation in organized afterschool programs offers a range of academic, social/emotional and physical benefits. That said, it’s also important to provide children with a healthy school-life balance—including downtime for free play, family time, evening routines and, of course, sleep. Here are some things to keep in mind.
What are the benefits of afterschool activities?
According to Harvard Graduate School of Education, participating in afterschool programs can boost academic performance. Research demonstrates improved attitudes towards school, reduced tardiness, better attendance rates, less disciplinary action, higher on-time graduation rates and stronger test scores and grades.
Afterschool programs offer a range of social and emotional benefits. Not only do children form strong friendships and bond over similar interests, they also build confidence with exposure to new activities and the development of new skills.
Participation in sports—or programs involving outdoor play—helps kids build strength, coordination, motor skills and cardiovascular health. Exercise and spending time outdoors also boost mood and relieves stress. Team sports have the added bonus of kids learning to work together towards a common goal.
Organized afterschool programs provide a safe, supervised environment for kids, thereby reducing risky behaviors. Finally, afterschool programs offer children (and often, their families) a sense of belonging and community.
What to Consider and How to Decide
As you’ve probably discovered, there are many afterschool enrichment opportunities available in San Diego County. Here are things to consider:
Personal interests: When choosing a program, it’s important to factor in your child’s interests. Do they like team sports, dance or gymnastics? Arts and crafts? STEM activities? Singing or playing music? Scouts? Let kids have some say in what they do during off-school hours.
Variety: Can’t decide? Don’t worry—there’s no need to lock in activities for life. In fact, exposing children to various programs helps them grow emotionally and find their true passions. Rotating activities seasonally or by school term can be a useful strategy to discovering what they like.
Transportation: Clearly not every parent has the availability to take their kids to preferred afternoon activities. Consider program hours, practice schedules and transportation realities before making a commitment. To overcome barriers, consider carpooling, finding afterschool programs that meet on school grounds or bussing from school to activities.
Number of activities: The Society for Research in Child Development reports that kids spend an average of about five hours a week on organized afterschool activities. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how many activities are too many, but experts suggest one or two at any given time, depending on individual circumstances.
Time commitment: It’s crucial not to overschedule kids and when it comes to time management, you know your kids best. Think about how much time is required for homework, eating dinner, personal hygiene, downtime and sleep before making other commitments.
Other family members: If a child’s participation in afterschool programs limits other family members from meeting their needs, it’s OK to say no. With so many available options, there’s bound to be something else that works better for the entire family.
Find a Balance
Finding the right balance between school, home and other commitments can be challenging. Too few activities may limit growth opportunities and social engagement, while overcommitment can lead to burnout.
Keep a close eye on kids for irritability, exhaustion, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, headaches, poor performance, trouble concentrating or social isolation. These could be signs of stress, anxiety or depression. If that’s the case, reconsider involvement level and contact your child’s pediatrician.
Lisa Pawlak is an award-winning contributing writer who lives in Encinitas with her family.
FUN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR SAN DIEGO KIDS
Aqua Pros Swim School
City Ballet School
Ember Coding Lab
GRIT Gymnastics
Helen Woodward Animal Center
The Hot Spot
Little Fish Comic Book Studio
Momentum Acrobatics
PlayPro Guitar School
San Diego Junior Theatre
San Diego Trail Company
United States Karate Academy
