After-school programs
After-school programs provide supervised care and activities for children during the hours between school dismissal and when parents return home from work. These programs have become increasingly vital due to the growth of dual-income households and single-parent families, which often leave children without supervision after school. After-school offerings vary widely, from basic care to structured activities such as sports, arts, and academic support, catering to diverse children's needs. Many programs also focus on providing children with social skills, confidence, and leadership opportunities, contributing positively to their development.
For families seeking affordable options, some schools offer free or low-cost after-school programs that include homework help and recreational activities. Additionally, specialized programs may provide training in areas such as STEM, sports, and the arts, preparing children for future academic and career opportunities. These programs can help reduce juvenile crime during after-school hours, as children engaged in positive activities are less likely to encounter trouble. Overall, after-school programs play a crucial role in supporting working parents while enriching children's lives through educational and social experiences.
After-school programs
After-school programs supervise and occupy children in the hours between the end of the school day and their parents' return from work. Because so many parents work until five o'clock or later, they cannot be home for their children when school ends. After-school programs range from general supervised care to structured sports, art programs, and study groups.
Overview
The need for after-school programs has grown steadily over the past several decades. Working parents have long depended on grandparents or teenage babysitters to supervise their children. But for economic and social reasons, many grandparents are still working and teenagers are either working or committed to after-school activities of their own. Other factors that have increased the need for after-school programs include more women in the workforce and single parents who find it challenging to afford adequate after-school care for their children. When family members or sitters were not available to fill the gap, parents turned to after-school programs to supervise their children. Children find academic support and opportunities for friendship at these programs and avoid getting into trouble. After-school programs range from in-school care to community organizations to for-profit businesses.
Meeting the Needs of Parents
To assist parents who cannot afford a substantial bill, some schools offer free or low-cost programs in which children simply stay at school until they are picked up by their parents. For example, at the Stevens Creek Elementary School in Georgia, after-school care organized by the school system gives working parents a safe and convenient option for child care. Children receive a snack, homework supervision, and time to play outdoors or watch a movie. Some schools offer computer lab time or other enrichment activities for students. After-school care in a private home can be more convenient, if the location is closer to the parent's workplace or residence. They may also be cheaper than organized programs.
Meeting the Needs of Children
While most after-school programs are designed to provide child care, some are supplemental academic programs. The US Department of Education began funding after-school enrichment programs to help children prepare for standardized tests. Offered through schools and other community-learning facilities, 21st Century Community Learning Centers are aimed at students in high-poverty areas whose schools tend to perform poorly in reading and math.
Good after-school programs can help children learn more and avoid getting into trouble. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention, 18 percent of violent crimes committed by juveniles occurred during after-school hours in 2022; most occur in the first hour after school lets out. Studies have shown that children in quality after-school programs are less likely to become victims of crime and engage in crimes such as vandalism. Children also gain social skills and learn to handle conflict. For example, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development has an after-school program for middle-school children. It offers activities in a variety of locations, including schools, public housing, and churches, to meet the needs of children in the neighborhood. The program gives children opportunities to improve academic achievement and become involved in their community. Children in the program also gain confidence and leadership skills.
Providing Supplemental Activities
Some after-school programs offer training in a specific field. Such specialty programs include instruction and practice in sports and the arts. Some specialized programs offer religious activities or involvement in community-service projects. Specialized programs do not always meet every day, so alternate care may be needed two or three days a week.
A recent development in after-school specialty programs is instruction in STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Experts believe that knowledge and skills in these areas are critical in preparing students for future work. Specialty programs that focus on STEM are designed to attract students to the fields and help them understand their value. They also introduce children to a variety of opportunities and teach basic skills, including problem-solving and teamwork, which are considered as important as the STEM subject matter.
Many for-profit companies provide specialized after-school care. For example, in South Carolina, a martial arts school picks up students at school and takes them to the company's facility. Its after-school program includes snacks, homework time, and arts and crafts, as well as lessons and practice in martial arts and physical education.
Children enrolled in specialized after-school programs tend to be older and more able to adapt to a varied schedule of activities. They benefit from the opportunity to learn to follow rules and be part of a team. They also meet peers and adults outside their classrooms, widening their opportunity to make friends who share their interests. Younger children generally participate in daily programs that meet their needs for supervision and play time.
Bibliography
“After School.” Department of Youth & Community Development, City of New York, www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/afterschool/afterschool.shtml. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“After-School Programs.” Education Week., 10 Sept. 2004, www.edweek.org/ew/issues/after-school-programs/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
"Fact Sheets." Afterschool Alliance, www.afterschoolalliance.org/researchfactsheets.cfm. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Huang, Denise, and Jia Wang. “Independent Statewide Evaluation of ASES and 21st CCLC After School Programs.” University of California, Jan. 2012. After School Impacts Database, www.impacts.afterschoolalliance.org/details.cfm?ID=a0E3900000NaMw4EAF&start=1. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“New Study Helps Define Afterschool Programs’ Role in STEM Education.” Afterschool Alliance. Afterschool Alliance, 23 Jan. 2013, www.afterschoolalliance.org/press‗archives/STEM-outcomes-study-NR-01232013.pdf. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Rowell, Valerie. “Area Schools Offer Child Care Programs.” Columbia County News-Times, 25 Mar. 2012, newstimes.augusta.com/news/2012-03-25/area-schools-offer-child-care-programs. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
"Violent Crime by Youth Time of Day." Statistical Briefing Book, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 18 Apr. 2022, www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb//offenders/qa03301.asp. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.