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After School Activities

After school Activities Can Create A Positive Influence On Your Children

by Wayne Wargo (PenWay.org)

There is a definite need for after school activities in our society so that children can develop more social skills and not be influenced by the lure of being in a gang or getting involved in unacceptable behavior.

When children are very busy with the learning and sport activities in school, it may seem unnecessary to enroll them in after school activities. In spite of this, there are numerous types of after school programs sprouting up in large numbers and most of these are booked full. This indicates a real need for after school activities.

The unavailability of parental supervision is the leading cause for the surge in after school programs. Many children spend about 20-25 hours a week unsupervised and sometimes alone at home. And as the saying goes, "An idle mind is a devil's workshop". Children who are left alone to contend with too much free time invariably fall in with the wrong company. Drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and crime come knocking at their doors sooner rather than later. Parents enroll children in various after school 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. Getting the children together under one roof and encouraging them to participate in a group activity is what is needed a lot of the time.

Obesity is a matter of growing concern in this country. More and more children are becoming couch potatoes. After school, many of them relax on the sofa with packets of chips, cool drinks or chocolates while they watch T.V. 30 % of the kids below the age of 19 are considered overweight, and about 15% of these are obese. An after school program ensures that the child shakes off his lethargy and keeps himself busy. This also helps to reduce the child's fascination for T.V and computer games.

After school activities that promote social awareness develop the individual's sense of social responsibility. These programs not only keep kids out of trouble, but also help to produce responsible citizens. To that extent, they are valuable building blocks in a child's personality.

In these changing times of our society parents want their children to excel in academics as well as in other activities. Encouraging children to do their best is what parents hope for. In today's world parents encourage their children to enroll and participate in various after school programs and develop the various facets of their individuality. Children usually learn quickly and when properly supervised and paid attention to, they will strive to gain more knowledge and less inclined to get into trouble.

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