For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.After school is not baby-sitting:After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?.Research and choose:Instead of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your child. Once you select a program, get the fine print and find out what you have to contribute.Free time:Many children attend piano classes, followed by ballet and squeeze in some time for play dates in between just before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is too much for a child. So, go slow.When to quit:Often, parents enroll their child in an activity to discover that he may not be the prodigy they thought he would be. This is the time to let go. Your child may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that he enjoys. Remember, happiness and fulfillment are all that matter.

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What’s there to do after school for your child? Sitting around the house watching TV, playing endless computer games and snacking just won’t cut it any more. When he gets restless, you get restless. If he’s got more time than he knows what to do with, you should be considering after school programs - anything that will keep him busy for a few life-saving hours!

Most after school activities can be broadly classified into three types: educational, recreational and society-oriented. The third type usually comes in when your child is already a bit more grown up and can voice his own interests. Let’s concentrate on the other two for now.

Educational Activities

Educational activities aim at furthering your child’s knowledge. Her general awareness, her understanding and her memory are targeted and she is given a variety of techniques that will help her improve one or all of these. Programs such as intensive memory training and learning speed mathematics are educational after school activities. There are also academic programs that will go over your child’s homework and review class work to help her gain more in-depth knowledge in her studies. In general, academic programs have a definite edge over fun and games, if parents feel that their child has a lot of catching up to do. But fun and games also have a place in a child’s life.

Recreational Activities

Recreational activities include sports and games, fine arts, painting, dance, etc. The main thrust here is to have fun, and mastering new skills helps your child become well-rounded. Of course, classes become more competitive as he climbs up the ladder. As a bonus, many sporting events, competitions, stage performances and the like are held to encourage your child in his pursuits.

When we compare the merits of the two kinds of activities, there should be a balance in your child’s life and recreational activities should be added to the daily grind of academics. They certainly are more often requested by your son or daughter and they provide a different kind of activity for them. Children don’t enjoy learning unless they themselves feel curious about something. Many academic programs are standardized courses that are not too flexible. They have a general purpose and a well laid out methodology. After a full day at school, your child may feel bored. Further study may overwhelm him and make him feel frustrated. Burnout is very much a possibility here.

Recreational programs provide a welcome break from the monotony of learning and studies. The mental challenge and the physical exertion make your child feel a renewed zest, an excitement about what they’re accomplishing and a pleasant sense of fulfillment. Group activity teaches her social skills, discipline and patience. It has been shown that children involved in extra-curricular activities generally do better in school than others. Sometimes closing the textbooks and playing a game or taking on an outside challenge may be the best way to handle one’s studies. Think well-rounded here.

Whatever program you choose for your child, regular evaluation is the key to success. Measure his progress and make sure he’s happy with the activity. If unsatisfactory, shift him out of the program and find something else. This activity may not match where his interest or talents lie. He should have the freedom to reject an activity if and when he feels bored with it.

For younger children, programs that combine the educational with the recreational seem to be best suited to their needs. In this way, children can have fun while they learn. And you can be assured that your kids are occupied with positive experiences while they’re learning something new or solidifying what they’ve been taught in school.

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Today’s children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. Learning from textbooks is not enough for your children’s overall development. It’s the age of specialization and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity while he’s young. So, scour your local area for the most advantageous programs and enroll them in the ones you think are the best.

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a skill that is ignored or overlooked by regular schools. These programs could be educational or recreational in nature. Whichever they are, make sure they aim to keep your child active and interested.

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it widens your child’s area of interest. He or she is introduced to new things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form (painting, photography, dance, acting) or a new skill (sports, karate, yoga, debating, chess) increases your child’s self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce her to new career options. A child attending a music class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career out of it in the long run.

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs. Children get a chance to meet others who share their interests and they make new friendships with those who have something in common with them (other than just being in school together). An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child.

After school programs also keep your teenagers busy. This may help insulate them from being exposed to destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing activities are less prone to substance abuse, depression and burnout. Good after school programs also increase in-school achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates.

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more adults. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults other than their parents. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and teachers, but may open up with other adults who have taken a positive interest in them and their activities.

Today, a large number of children are placed into recreational after school programs so that they reduce weight and remain healthy. Today there are numerous children below the age of 16 who are considered obese. Parents who are unable to successfully put their children on a strict diet may choose sports, physical activities and games to help burn fat in a healthy way. With cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of many after school programs.

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps your son or daughter entertained as well as occupied, and thus prevents them from becoming couch potatoes, addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape their overall personality and increase their knowledge of all that’s available to them in the world. Introduce them to what’s out there while they’re young and they’ll keep those experiences and memories with them forever.

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Should your child go out for football practice when it’s 5 days a week? Aren’t 3 days enough? It’s common for parents to be a little confused when it comes to deciding how much is too much with reference to after school activities. Many think that since most of these activities are ‘fun’ (as opposed to in-school studies), children will simply lap up these classes. But, too much of this ‘fun’ can also make a child burned out or sick.

Here’s a simple guide that will help you decide how much is too much for your child.

Kindergarten

Your child is just beginning to learn to interact and get used to discipline. Her after-school life should be simple and carefree. One or two classes per week are plenty to start with. Try a trip to the library or your favorite book store for a weekly reading circle. Once she settles down, you can look for more challenging activities like a music or art program.

Grade 1

One or two activities per week, including play dates and playground visits are recommended. Avoid competitive sports activities at this point. Your son is still too young to have to worry about winning and losing. After the rigors of a full day at school, he needs a healthy outlet for pent up energy. Physical activities and non-competitive sports are best for this age group.

Grade 2

Your child is old enough to voice opinions on what activities he wants. Sports, skating, swimming or computers - steer him towards things he likes or shows an aptitude for. Many children begin lessons on a musical instrument around this age. Don’t forget to allow your child some ‘alone time’ during which he can unwind and just do whatever he wishes.

Grade 3

Socialization begins to take center stage. Team sports are a great choice. Developing motor skills, painting, drawing, and dance are good too. Let your child explore her areas of interest. Make sure to leave aside enough time for family oriented and fun activities.

Grade 4

At this age, your child will tell you clearly what he likes and what he doesn’t. Get him involved in activities that will boost his confidence. This will also help him manage stress as this is the time when social pressure is beginning to build. And, beware of the homework demon! Your son will now need more time with his studies. Balancing his schoolwork with other activities is very important.

Grade 5

The fifth grader is bubbling with energy and will want to do just about everything. And she may conveniently push her studies into the background. So, close parental supervision is needed to keep activities and schoolwork in balance. Keep one or two days free for family time and other activities. Now can be a great time to get your child interested in community service.

Middle school

Steer him away from TV and mindless computer games! Get him engaged in activities that reinforce learning. Academic performance can be improved by encouraging your preteen to join clubs like the Girl or Boy Scouts program, foreign language clubs, chess clubs, debating, school newspaper, etc. Up to 20 hours a week of extra curricular activities should be more than enough (and not too much) for most middle schoolers. Just keep an eye out for signs of burnout, and slow him down if you sense it coming.

What you select for your child and how long he should work at it is basically decided by your child’s temperament. As the parent, closely observe him and base your decisions on feedback from your child himself. There’s a balance between what works for your child and what is too much at each age and stage. And remember, each child is an individual - what’s good for his best friend may or may not be the right mix for your child.

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