Parents are sometimes hesitant to enroll their school-aged children in after school day care in Pittsburgh, but often the benefits far outweigh the cost. Not only do after school programs offer overworked parents a practical solution for child care, but they also offer the children themselves a wide variety of advantages. Read on to find out more about just a few of them.
Improved Engagement at School
Kids that attend after-school programs have access to academic resources that place them at a distinct advantage. Many children feel uncomfortable with asking their teachers for help, but they do not experience the same trepidation about directing questions to staff members at unaffiliated after-school programs. Access to homework help and informal academic programs can make the difference between a child getting all of his or her academic work done each day and falling behind at school.
Increased Physical Activity
Many after-school programs intentionally incorporate physical activities and games designed to keep kids active. A surprising number of children spend their free time at home either in front of the television or playing video games. Many of these children grow up to develop poor habits when it comes to physical activity, and these habits can follow them for the rest of their lives.
Improved Leadership Skills
Participating in an after-school program as a young child has been shown to increase leadership abilities as kids get older. This is partially due to the above-noted increase in academic engagement and performance, but it is also thanks in part to increased confidence. Individual attention from caring staff members can help struggling students to find the confidence they need to excel, both academically and socially.
Fewer Behavioral Problems
Kids that are enrolled in after school day care in Pittsburgh show fewer signs of serious behavioral trouble. The focus on teamwork and community offered by a good after-school program can help to address a wide variety of common emotional and behavioral issues, placing participating kids in a better position to engage actively with their communities both in school and outside of school. Visit the website for more information, and learn how to enroll a child in after-school day care today.
