Need for after school activities

When children are literally up to their gills with the learning and sportactivities in school, it may seem superfluous to enroll them for afterschool activities. In spite of this, after school programs are sproutingup in large numbers and most of these are booked full. This shows thatthere is a real need for after school activities.

The unavailability of parental supervision is the leading cause for thesurge in after school programs. It is seen that many children spend about20-25 hours a week unsupervised and alone at home. And as the sayinggoes, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”. Children who are left aloneto contend with too much free time invariably fall into the wrongcompany. Drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and crime come knocking at theirdoors sooner rather than later. Parents enroll children to various afterschool programs to keep them occupied in a productive manner. This way,the kids are free to enjoy themselves in a supervised activity.

Crime is considered to be at its peak during the after school hours,between 3- 4 p.m. During such a time, children need protection. Gettingthe children together under one roof and encouraging them to participatein a group activity is protection enough. It diverts the children fromennui too.

Obesity is a matter of growing concern in this country. It is noticedthat more and more children are becoming couch potatoes. After school,many of them relax on the sofa with packets of chips, cool drinks orchocolates while they watch T.V. 30 % of the kids below the age of 19 areconsidered overweight, and about 15% of these are obese. An after schoolprogram ensures that the child shakes off his lethargy and keeps himselfbusy. This also helps to reduce the child’s fascination for T.V andcomputer games.

After school activities that promote social awareness develop theindividual’s sense of social responsibility. It is seen that these sortsof programs not only keep kids out of trouble, but also help to produceresponsible citizens. To that extent, they are valuable building blocksin a child’s personality.

Times are changing and parents want their children to excel in academicsas well as in other activities. This may be a reflection of the parent’sunfulfilled desire to excel - a remnant from his own childhood. Whateverthe reason, parents today encourage their children to enroll themselvesin various programs and develop the various facets of theirindividuality. Children too seem to be comfortable learning many thingsat the same time, and gain satisfaction from this.

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