Social Benefits for Children Attending After School Programs

One thing many working parents have to be really thankful for are the many opportunities there are to engage their children when they can’t. After school programs are one such opportunity where organizations, schools, and other institutions provide extended day opportunities where school aged children can learn and development outside of the regular school system. After school programs constitute a whole new environment of learning, socializing, recreation and development.
 
What are these programs?
After school programs came about out of the need to provide a care service to children whose parents are unable to be with them in the hours after the day has ended. After school care services have developed programs that fill the gap and that provide a new learning environment that supports children’s cognitive development, cultural awareness, and social and physical growth.  After school services are offered primarily in the afternoons, immediately after school but there are services also in the evenings, weekends, during the summer break and on holidays.

Social Benefits of After School Programs
The benefits of after school programs are many. This extended day activities have enhanced kids’ physical development because there are a lot of physical activities to be involved in. Their mental capacities are stimulated because of more learning opportunities in different subject areas. We cannot forget also the important benefit of having kids do their homework in sessions scheduled for them. Neither can we overlook the importance of after school activities in building social skills. Here are some key social skills children develop in after school programs.

• They Learn to Listen – Children learn that there are others besides them and if they want to share, they’ll need to stop and listen also. They learn to pay attention to what others of their peers are saying and therefore they establish a connection. Great friendships are built on this.

 

• They Learn to Deal with Distractions – A child learns to take from a program what is really necessary or important. Having so many other children in their space to engage them, they develop the skill to ignore the distractions and focus on the important things.

 

• They Learn to Take Turns Talking – You’ll be surprised how much kids learn from their peers. They also tend to adhere to the rules set by the service provider. Adults will set them to follow social etiquette so they can interact in the group. Taking turns to talk is an important skill they’ll develop.

 

• They Learn to ask for Assistance - In after school environments children work together carrying out many activities. It’s the perfect setting for helping each other and at the same time asking for assistance. This is the type of situations they will encounter as adults in later life and need to know how to handle them.

 

• They Learn to Handle Conflict and Stay Calm – Of course children will get in fights with each other. And who said that this is not healthy. What is unhealthy is when they are not able to handle their spats and keep being at others. Attending camp allows them to be calm in the face of disturbances or having to do things in the presence of others. They learn to stay calm. This gives the opportunity for people to relax around them and they are better able to communicate with their peers.

 

• They get along with and be Nice to Others – Here are two social skills necessary for interacting effectively with others. Children learn that they are responsible for their behavior and they can make others happy or unhappy.

 
Why are after school programs so beneficial? This is a community where kids have a host of others to work and play with. They will learn many skills in how to interact with each other. And they certainly will use them in their future lives.

If you are looking for a reputable, professional and affordable after school program in the Albany area, please reach out to TSL Adventures.  We would be happy to answer any questions you might have.