Benefits of afterschool programs for kids

Supporting Working Families. Working families and businesses also benefit from afterschool programs that ensure that youth have a safe place to go while parents or guardians are at work. Even though the OSNAP Initiative did not allot significantly more time for physical activity, it successfully made existing time more vigorously active for children receiving the intervention.

Afterschool programs can also provide opportunities to develop early exposure to the labor market. Work-based learning programs with a focus on apprenticeships, internships, and mentorship with older youth between leads to higher quality employment at age Health Resources and Services Administration. National Institutes of Health.

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How Access to Technology Benefits Children. Playground Injuries Fact Sheet. Playground Safety Publications. Safety Hazards in Child Care Settings. Cooperative Extension System. IDEA Partnership. National Center for Homeless Education. Some programs also offer opportunities for internships, community service, or mentoring. These programs have been shown to improve academic achievement, as well as relieve the stresses on working families.

According to the NYVPRC, most experts agree that after-school activities can serve as important strategies for youth violence prevention and intervention, and can also help students develop into responsible adults. A report by the U. Department of Education and the U.

S Department of Justice shows that students in after-school programs have fewer behavioral problems and more self-confidence, and can handle conflicts better than students who are not involved with these programs. In addition, according to the Harvard Family Research Project, after-school programs help students from low-income families overcome the inequities they face in the school system. Do you know what your child is doing after school? Many afterschool programs provide homework help.

Some afterschool programs offer classes in areas like science or computers. Programs may also offer arts options like drama and music, which can help kids find new interests. The hours between 3 and 6 p.

Research shows that these risks are even more likely for kids who learn and think differently. But keeping kids busy can keep them from engaging in risky behavior. And afterschool programs can be a safer option. Studies show that kids in afterschool programs may get better grades.

They also may see fewer behavioral problems. For kids who lack confidence or have learning challenges, an afterschool program may feel more forgiving than school. The stakes may not feel as high. Kids may be more willing to try new things and take more positive risks.

This, in turn, can lead to higher self-esteem.