Add after-school activities to your to-do list
IN THE CITY
by Chris Beaulieu
New shoes, check. New clothes, check. Pencils and pens, check. Notebooks, binders, rulers, calculators, check, check … check, check. Preparing your child for the start of the school year is not always a simple or cheap task. However, in doing so it is important to put some thought into planning what your child may or may not be doing after the school day ends as well.
Keeping kids involved in planned activities is a very important part of their growth and development. Whether a child is in first grade or 12th grade, staying busy and active is essential to their well being.
Studies have shown that kids who participate in after-school and extracurricular activities are less likely to have issues with substance abuse, depression and behavioral problems.
The social and academic pressures at school and even at home can have an immense impact on a child’s life. If one feels like they don’t fit in, those pressures can create many problems.
By participating in an after-school program of their choosing, kids can interact with children of similar interests, giving them a feeling of belonging and helping alleviate many of those pressures, not to mention teaching skills like teamwork, respect, time management and building self-confidence.
Participation in after-school and extracurricular activities can not only improve a child’s confidence and self-worth, but has also shown to improve their achievements in the classroom.
Many schools, like SAD 1, have minimum grade requirements for students to be allowed to participate in school related after-school programs. This encourages kids to keep their grades up and for some, keeps them on a track to graduate.
As you check off items on your child’s long “back to school” list, don’t forget to discuss with your child some of the positive and constructive activities they can take part in when not in school. Some might include, school and recreation sports teams, student government, the arts, drama, band, 4-H, chess club, debate team, church youth groups, Scouts, youth programs at the library and volunteering, to name just a few. In deciding what they might do, give careful thought to their interests, not yours. Consider transportation, scheduling and providing a healthy balance. Most importantly, provide them with your support and encouragement.
Chris Beaulieu is director of Presque Isle’s Recreation & Parks Department. He can be reached at 764-2545 or via e-mail at cbeaulieu@presqueisleme.us.
