Potentials of after school programs By Abdul Rahim Khurram

 

Potentials of after school programs By Abdul Rahim Khurram

As children have risen to become the primary focus of society, efforts are being made to find ways and means to assure their safety and development. The government has also joined forces to ensure the success of such initiatives. Following are some of the factors that have contributed to the popularity of after-school programs:

1) Preventing Juvenile Delinquency, Crime, and Violent Victimization: Between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., approximately 10% of all juvenile offenses occur. At such circumstances, children must be kept secure and out of trouble by their caregivers.

2) Preventing underage drinking, drug usage, and cigarette use.

Latchkey children are characterized by risk-taking conduct that is motivated by a desire to establish superiority within the clan. Children in their pre-teen years are less likely to engage in this type of damaging behavior if they have a meaningful relationship with a trusted adult mentor in their lives.

3) It reduces a youngster's desire to watch television: The average child watches approximately 23 hours of television per week. When a child participates in a sport or activity, he or she must use both his or her mental and physical abilities to overcome obstacles.

4) Improving students' academic performance

5) Increasing school attendance: Improved self-confidence and increased interest in school are both associated with increased attendance in school. A program that assists youngsters with their homework also provides the child with a much-needed sense of self-accomplishment and accomplishment.

6) Improvements in conduct and interpersonal abilities are noted.

Children who participate in after-school activities are better at dealing with conflict and collaborating with authority figures.

7) A stronger sense of belonging to one's family and community.