How to Have Your Own After School Program at Home

After school activities are important especially in the formative years of learning, because it supplements the education taught in the classroom and develops skills that are critical to being well-rounded. There may be times as a parent or guardian when you don't have the time and resources to send children to after school programs sponsored by the school or community. Developing a program at home for kids may suit your schedule better and allow you to accomplish more at home. Here are the steps to developing a program.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Classroom materials (pens, paper, arts supplies)
• Visual and memorization aids (pictures, flash cards)
• Prizes

1. Structure the program by creating a schedule. It is best to start an after school class for the kids an hour or so after school so that they are still in the mindset of learning. It will be easier to pool them together in a room rather than later when they're engaged in other activities. Choose an hour or two time slot and be consistent with it. Schedule the days for the program, either every day or three times a week.

2. Decide on the program's curriculum. An after school program can be many things--it can be educational, enrichment or recreational, or all three. First, have an overview of which subjects the kids are having difficulty in, and create lessons that focus on these subjects. Reinforcing a lesson in fun, creative ways makes the kids more engaged. On certain days, take the kids to a museum or park for an enrichment trip and have the lesson there. Some museums also offer weekend classes for kids for free. When a kid shows a natural skill or leaning toward an activity, try to foster this by signing him or her up for training lessons such as music or swimming lessons.

3. Track progress by posting a grade sheet on the fridge. Being able to check their progress allows the kids to be more mindful of how they are doing. Try to grade them by stars, shapes or other methods than the traditional grading system of As through Cs. This way, there is a separation between school and home. Encourage them frequently and try to inspire a little competition among them which will drive them to do better.

4. Create contests and give rewards. Another way to make learning more fun is by creating contests and giving incentives. For vocabulary, create flash cards and drills. For concepts like sciences or language arts, try to create a contest in Double Jeopardy format. Give prices to the high scorers and smaller consolation prices for those who didn't do as well to keep them motivated.