Parents are often faced with the decision of whether or not to enrol their kids in an After-school club. After-school clubs exist for kids as young as 2 up until adolescence. These clubs provide complementary activities that increase the social, physical and emotional development of children. Some schools also offer breakfast clubs where children can have their meals in the morning and get involved in exercises and games before the school day begins.
Here are some benefits of After-school clubs to consider:
1. After-school clubs offer a way of keeping children safe and productively engaged after school. Instead of leaving kids with little or no supervision at home, After-school clubs engage them in activities that are fun and educative.
2. Kids are able to build positive relationships with other adults, apart from their parents.
3. After-school clubs provide opportunities for children to socialise with their peers in an informal setting. For kids without siblings, parents can take advantage of After-school clubs to encourage their kids to socialise.
4. Most of the activities are fun and designed to complement academic learning. Examples include basketball, fencing, music lessons, ballet, etc. Children can transfer their successes and learnings in these activities to the classroom through the increased confidence and self-esteem they have gained and a self-realisation of what they would like to be when they grow up.
5. Some After-school clubs provide help with assignments and group study environments where children can learn with their peers.
6. After-school clubs are often cheaper when compared to alternative childcare arrangements.
For schools offering after-school club arrangements, some of the factors parents consider in deciding whether or not to enrol their kids include:
- The mix of activities offered by the school
- The child’s interest in attending the club
- The opening/closing time of the club
- The level of convenience (pick-ups, assignment help, lunch services, etc)
- The quality of the services offered by the school and
- The cost of enrolling in the club.
In my opinion, the benefits far outweigh the downsides, so I’d say, if your child's school offers an After-school club, why not?
Picture Attribution: A School Boy And Teacher Stock Photo/Freedigitalphotos.net