How Before and After School Care Contributes to Children’s Development

Many working parents have to arrange for childcare before and after school. Some enlist a babysitter or relative, while others opt for a childcare program.

The school program offers a safe and engaging environment with strategy games, art, on-site field trips, and a healthy snack. In addition, Before and After School Enrichment includes family membership, included with your enrollment!

Benefits

For parents, finding someone available and willing to watch their school-age kids in the mornings and afternoons can be a challenge. Some families ask a neighbor, babysitter, or relative for help, but there are far more benefits to enrolling your children in a structured before and after school program.

Afterschool programs also provide children with many opportunities to engage in activities outside of the classroom. They can choose from strategy games, art, imaginative play, on-site field trips with special guests, and various other options.

For a few hours a day, kids are under the care of qualified adults who make sure they get help with homework and have time to relax. In addition, they can get extra exercise through group sports and other activities. This can be an excellent way for them to decompress after a long day in the classroom.

Socialization

Many schools, local parks, recreation centers, places of worship, and youth programs offer before and after-school care in Severna Park. Programs are usually offered at a lower cost than childcare and accept childcare subsidies. They also provide flexibility to meet parents’ kids.

According to a study, kids enroll in after-school programs because they want to be supervised. Kids left at home will likely get bored and engage in activities they are not supposed to, such as watching TV or playing video games.

In addition, before and after school care Severna Park MD programs provide a safe place for kids to socialize, with structured activities different from what they may do at home or on the playground. They also have more adult supervision than a typical playground, so kids can feel comfortable joining group play or asking questions about unfamiliar things.

Physical Activity

Children need about an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily to maintain good health and enhance their academic performance. However, schools are cutting back on recess and gym classes, leaving kids with little movement during the day. That’s one of the main reasons parents enroll their children in before and after-school care programs.

Vacation and summer childcare programs usually serve school-age kids, although some are also available to preschoolers. They typically offer arts and crafts, swimming, drama, dance, organized sports, and enrichment activities.

In our Before School program for grades K-6, children participate in fun athletic activities such as dodgeball and hockey before their parents arrive to pick them up. After school, children get their wiggles out through outdoor Yard play and indoor games.

They also get assistance with homework in the Homework Room and can work on projects like cooking and ceramics. For an extra fee, students can also choose from a range of afternoon Specials such as Music and Art.

Learning

The best way to help kids develop is by exposing them to various experiences. While some children will thrive in a structured classroom, others might benefit from more hands-on learning opportunities.

Whether through art, music, or sports, learning new things is essential for children of all ages. Before and after-school care is a great way to introduce kids to new activities and encourage them to pursue academic challenges.

Daycare is another option, but it only works for some families’s schedules. If you’re looking for a solution that can fit into your child’s after-school hours, check out local community and school programs. These are typically held on school grounds and offer an ideal solution for parents who must stay at work until their kids are home from school.

These programs provide children with a place to finish homework, play with friends, and participate in enrichment activities they may not have access to during the school day. They also allow kids to relax and unwind, preparing them for their next day at school.