Building Strong Children Through After School Activities

With more parents working, keeping kids safe, active and healthy is paramount. With approximately $500 million invested and more than 10 million children actively involved in these programs in the United States alone, it's easy to recognize their significance to our culture. Today's after school programs enhance a child's life by developing new skills and building relationships. Additionally, the children are kept safe while parents work.

Role Models and Mentors

Children, as they grow, look to adults to model themselves after. One of the most important assets of after school programs is the development of the relationships formed between the child and the adult or older young person. The bond that forms becomes a comfort zone for the youngster. Children will more readily confide in someone in this role as opposed to a parent or teacher. This type of emotional interaction between child and mentor is a key development anchor to support the child's continued emotional health. As children grow, their emotions can rage through them, causing them to lose control at times. Having a person to support them during these times will help them feel more normal and ease their fears and anxieties.

Education through Example

Direct contact with adults inspires young people. Children derive knowledge, life skills, and power from their mentors. As young people develop their own identity, they look to the people in their lives who are closest to them; for whom they have respect and awe. Most people emulate those they love and the youngest of our population are even more open. Personality is part genetic, part societal impression. Being a part of after school activities, our youth can be inspired, learn discipline, focus, and determination. Through their bond with adults, they will discover their talents, courage, and confidence while learning their own identity. These lessons will form them into the adults they will become tomorrow.

Living to Learn; Learning to Live

After school activities managed by professionals has become a cornerstone of our culture. Our children need the guidance, discipline and drive these activities provide. Children who participate in positive interaction with adults and older youths learn how to build relationships and become stronger, more enthusiastic and overall more successful in life than those who do not participate in after school programs. The learning experience should be well-rounded and balanced to produce a solid foundation in a child's life. After school programs achieve that goal.

With the major problems facing our society today, it's more important than ever that we give our children every tool possible to prepare them for their future. They will face challenges that previous generations could never have imagined. Building solid relationships and learning life lessons from adults who can give guidance and support will make the difference in a child's continued success or failure. After school programs have gained tremendous momentum because of the relationships and skills learned through them. These programs offer more than just an after school babysitting service, they are giving our children a giant leap forward into tomorrow.