After-school activity

Some kids join clubs after school ends.

These clubs started a long time ago. At first, they just watched kids. Now, they help with school work. They also help kids learn new skills.

Many kids go to these clubs to play. Some go to a park or a library. Some stay in their school building.

Parents like these clubs. They help parents who work long hours. The clubs are a safe place to be.

These clubs can help kids get better grades. They also help kids make new friends. It is a great way to learn!

After-school activities are programs for kids and adults. They happen after the school day ends.

These programs started in the early 1900s. At first, they just watched students. Now, they do much more. Some help with school work. Others help kids learn social skills. Some programs help kids gain leadership skills. These are called holistic programs. This means they help the whole child.

Many people use these programs for different reasons. In the United States, many women began working more after World War II. This meant they needed a safe place for their children. After-school programs provided that safe place. Some programs help kids get better grades. They can also help kids stay out of trouble. For example, some studies show kids in programs use fewer drugs.

Programs can be in many places. They might be at a school. They can also be at a park or a library. In the United Kingdom, many parents pay for these activities. Some kids even go to more than one per day. They might play soccer to learn teamwork. [Caption: Students working in an after-school program.]

After-school activities are organized programs for young people or adults. They take place outside of the regular school day.

These activities can happen in many different places. Some programs stay inside a school building. Others meet at a library, a park, or a church. Some are run by schools themselves. Other programs are run by non-profit groups or businesses. These programs help students in many ways. They focus on school work and social skills. This is often called a holistic approach to helping students.

Many different things can happen during these programs. Some activities focus on helping students with their homework. Other programs help children learn how to be leaders. This style of learning helps kids gain social skills. Some parents use these programs to keep children safe. This is helpful when parents are working long hours. In the United States, more women joined the workforce after World War II. The number of employed women rose from 38 percent in 1955 to 78 percent by 2004.

Because of this change, many children needed a safe place to go. After-school programs provided that safe adult supervision.

History shows how these programs have changed over time. In the early 1900s, they were mostly for watching students. During the World War, they helped when child labor declined. After the war, the goal changed again. Programs began to focus on child health and well-being. This created a new outlook on childhood. It emphasized that children need well-rounded care. Some people worry that too many activities can be too much for a child. This is sometimes called overparenting. However, many believe these activities help people succeed later in life.

Different places in the world do things differently. In the United Kingdom, most activities are commercial. This means parents pay for them. Many British children attend several activities every week. They might even do more than one activity in a single day. In the United States, there are many specific programs. The oldest program is called the Knickerbocker Greys. It started in 1881 in New York City. In Texas, a program called Texas ACE helps schools. In California, programs like ASSETS and ASES provide help. These grants cover academics, health, and nutrition.

Research has looked closely at how these programs work. Some studies show that students get better grades. They may do better on math and reading tests. Other studies show that these programs help prevent grades from dropping. This is very helpful for students who are at risk. Programs can also help with how students act. Some students show more emotional stability. They may find it easier to move to a new school. In the United States, interest in these programs grew after 2 p.m. Research showed that juvenile arrests often peak between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Keeping students busy can help them stay away from drugs and alcohol.

After-school activities are organized programs for youth or adult learners. These activities occur voluntarily outside of the traditional school day. They can take place inside a school building or in the community. Common locations include libraries, parks, churches, or community centers. Some programs are managed by schools. Others are run by commercial organizations or non-profit groups. Today, these programs often use a holistic approach. This means they focus on the whole student, not just academics. They aim to support social skills and general well-being alongside schoolwork.

Historically, these programs have changed significantly. In the early 1900s, they primarily provided supervision for students. During World War II, they offered solutions as child labor declined. After the war, a new outlook on childhood emerged. Programs began to focus on interactive care for child health. This shift emphasized well-rounded care for developing children. One major driver of change was the shifting role of women. In the United States, the percentage of employed women rose from 38 percent in 1955 to 78 percent by 2004. Many women worked long hours and could not pick up children. After-school programs provided safe adult supervision during these hours.

There are various ways these programs are structured and funded. In the United Kingdom, activities are typically organized commercially. This means parents pay for the services. Many children in Britain attend several activities each week. In the United States, funding often comes from government grants. For example, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program sponsors enrichment at under-resourced schools. In California, the ASSETS program supports secondary students. These grants require programs to include academics, enrichment, and nutrition. California's elementary programs use ASES grants, which include a family literacy component. Some districts manage programs internally. Others outsource management to a Community-based organization (CBO) or a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Research has explored how these activities affect academic outcomes. A 1994 study by Posner and Vandell compared two groups of children. One group used structured academic programs, while a control group did not. The results showed that participants had higher academic achievement. They performed better on math and reading tests. Other studies, like those by Durlak, Weissberg, and Pachan, also showed significant academic gains. However, some research suggests a different effect. Studies by Morrison et al. and Tucker et al. found that tutoring might not always raise grades. Instead, it may act as a protective measure. It helps prevent a decline in performance for at-risk youth. This helps students maintain school engagement and teacher ratings.

After-school programs also impact social and behavioral development. Some proponents link these activities to concerted cultivation. This is a parenting style that emphasizes leadership and social skills. Proponents believe these skills lead to success in later life. However, some critics worry about overparenting. They suggest that too many activities might be excessive for a child. Regarding behavior, a study by Posner and Vandell found increased emotional stability in participants. These students often adjusted more smoothly to new schools. They also faced fewer challenges when transitioning from middle to high school. On average, participants may have fewer disciplinary citations or suspensions.

Safety and delinquency prevention are also key reasons for these programs. In the United States, interest in these programs grew due to specific data. Research showed that juvenile arrest rates peak between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on school days. Providing constructive activities during these hours can reduce criminal behavior. Some studies suggest involvement in these programs leads to lower drug use. Specifically, research by Kraemer et al. found lower use of alcohol and marijuana. By keeping students engaged, programs can help prevent substance abuse and gang involvement. This makes them a vital tool for community safety.

Finally, these programs play a role in social equity. They can help close the achievement gap. This gap is the difference in academic performance between white students and students of color. Effective programs can bridge the gap for students in urban or low-income settings. These students are often labeled with negative connotations like "at-risk." Programs can help by providing problem-solving skills and artistic opportunities. By offering structured support, these activities aim to improve both academic and personality development. They connect education to broader social support systems.