| Children grow up in a society that demands | | | | |
| expertise in everything. Youreally cannot sit back | | | | After school programs keep your teenager busy. |
| and decide that learning from textbooks is | | | | He or she thus has someamount of protection |
| enoughfor the overall development of your child. | | | | from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. |
| It's the age of specializationand your child cannot | | | | Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy |
| afford to miss out on this window of opportunity. | | | | through diverse absorbingactivities are less prone |
| So, scour your locality for the most | | | | to abuse, depression and burnout. |
| advantageous programs and enroll themfor the | | | | Significantincrease in achievement and attendance |
| ones you think are the best. | | | | and a reduction in drop out ratesare other |
| | | | | advantages of a good after school programs. |
| After school programs are basically designed to | | | | |
| develop a talent or askill that is ignored by regular | | | | Most after school programs have children |
| schools. These programs could beeducational or | | | | interacting with one or moreadult. This allows |
| recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, | | | | them to benefit from positive relationships |
| theybasically aim to keep the child active and | | | | withadults. Children often find it difficult to confide |
| interested. | | | | in parents andteachers, but may open up with |
| | | | | other adults. |
| The most important advantage of a good after | | | | |
| school program is that itwidens your child's area | | | | Many children are put into recreational after school |
| of interests. He or she is introduced to newthings, | | | | programs so that theyreduce weight and remain |
| sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. | | | | healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that |
| Mastering a new artform or a new skill increases | | | | about |
| the child's self-esteem. It also allows youto | | | | 15% children below the age of 16 are obese. |
| introduce your child to new career options. A child | | | | Parents who cannot put theirchildren on a strict |
| attending a musicclass may decide that she likes it | | | | diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. |
| so much that she wants to make a careerout of | | | | Withcases of child diabetes on the increase, this |
| it in the long run. | | | | has become a prime focus ofmany after school |
| | | | | programs. |
| Socialization is another great advantage of after | | | | |
| school programs. | | | | A good after school program has many benefits. |
| Children get to meet others who share their | | | | It keeps the childentertained as well as busy, and |
| interests and make newfriendships. An acting class | | | | thus prevents children from becomingaddicted to |
| or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many | | | | TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up |
| ofthese programs coach children for | | | | their excess energyand explore their creativity, |
| performances or matches. Performing onstage or | | | | after school programs help to shape theoverall |
| playing a match can be a great experience for a | | | | personality of the child. |
| young child. | | | | |