8 Things You Need to Know
About After-School Activities
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You’ve navigated the Back-To-School sales, negotiated your kids’ schedules, and adjusted (hopefully) to that early morning alarm clock. Now it’s time to start making plans for those after-school hours.
Is it all sports, all the time around your house? Or are you more into tutus and watercolors?
Are you looking for a fun, social outlet for your kids, or are you training a future Olympian? Here are 8 things to consider when you go looking for enrichment and exercise in the afternoons.

It’s Great For Girls – Studies show that participation for girls in after-school activities are linked to reduced teen pregnancy, a decrease in risky behavior including drug and alcohol abuse, an increase in self-esteem, and higher grade-point averages.

Don’t Over Schedule Mom’s Taxi – Tyler is playing soccer, baseball and martial arts, Emily is playing soccer, swimming and doing Girl Scouts, and now your youngest wants to play football and basketball. Where will you find the time?
It’s not only your kids who are being overscheduled, it’s Mom and Dad, too. When you start planning your kids’ after-school activities, it’s important to take the whole family’s schedule into account. Limit each child to one sport per season to keep hassles to a minimum.

Keeping Healthy – Studies show that kids who are involved in sports-related after-school activities are less likely to be overweight, and kids who are already overweight often reduce their Body Mass Index when they enroll in sports activities.

How Young Is Too Young? – When it comes to enrichment for kids, you can find classes for children starting at birth! Although your 6-month-old won’t be playing the piano, enrolling her in a baby music class can be a good social opportunity for both baby and a new mom. When enrolling children in sports look for programs that emphasize skills over competition in the younger years.

• There Is More to Afternoons Than Soccer – When you think afterschool activities many people just think of sports – soccer, gymnastics, football, etc. But don’t forget the arts when you plan your child’s afternoons. Look for art, photography, pottery, guitar, chess, theater, and dance programs to round out your renaissance child.

• Need After School Care? Many afterschool programs, including martial arts and gymnastics offer afterschool care for working parents. Some even offer transportation from nearby elementary schools to their facilities. This is a great option for high energy kids who can use daily afterschool sports programs to burn off some energy until mom and dad get home from work.

• Stay After School – School administrators are finding that their students feel more invested in their schools and therefore perform better in class when they become involved in afterschool clubs and sports. That has driven many schools to begin offering more than just team sports at their school. Clubs are springing up that offer everything from archery and golf to scrapbooking and community service.

• Service Counts – Most of us think of afterschool activities as a way to give our children enrichment and experience, but don’t forget that they can also be a way for your kids to give of themselves. Boy and Girl Scout troops are frequently involved in service projects as are 4-H programs and school Beta Clubs.