Many parents across Broward County and the entire state of Florida work full time jobs. The question of what to do with the children between school closing and work ending is a dilemma that many are all too familiar with. In Parkland, after school care is one of the best ways of keeping children safe under the supervision of caring adults.
But is supervision alone enough? With the right after care program, the hours between school and home can be used effectively, removing stress and pressure from the precious time at home with your child. Doesn’t that sound good? Here’s what to look for in a program that will help you reclaim home time as quality time with your child.
Qualified Homework Support
After a break and a snack, dedicated study time is set aside for homework. Qualified teachers make sure your child gets through all their assigned work, while offering help if they hit a problem they don’t understand. Through working with the children one-on-one, educators are able to pick up on knowledge gaps and learning difficulties early on.
What Homework Support Means For Home Life
By the time you get home after a long day, both you and your child are tired. Doing homework at this point is less than ideal and can frustrate you both. Leaving work at work and school at school leaves your family free to enjoy stress-free home time! Being ready for the next day will boost your child’s confidence and help them look forward to school, instead of dreading it due to unfinished work.
Time And Space For Physical Activity
Getting to run around outside is one of the most important aspects of an after school care schedule. Many children come from a classroom where they’ve had to sit still and focus. Getting the chance to play freely and work off some energy is just what their bodies and tired brains need. Physical exertion delivers fresh oxygen to the brain, which refreshes their ability to focus and concentrate.
Home Benefits Of Exercise At After School Care
A stimulating, satisfying, active afternoon helps kids switch gears and ease into a calmer evening routine. By the time bedtime rolls around, they’ll be happy to curl up under the blankets and rest. A physically active afternoon goes a long way to developing good sleep patterns. Sleeping well means going to school in the morning with a fresh mind and body, ready for the challenges of the day.
After Care Programs Allow Space For Quiet Time
Quiet time is another essential part of a holistic afternoon program. This allows a child to release any built-up anxiety they may be feeling from the day. Downtime as part of a predictable routine helps them to decompress and regulate their emotions. Younger children need a nap, while older children benefit from calm reading time or activities like building puzzles. A program that balances energetic play and rest leads to calm, happy children.
Home Benefits Of Quiet Time At After School Care
As your child gets into the habit of quiet play daily, they’ll be more inclined to follow the same pattern at home favoring books over devices or building puzzles over gaming. The predictable routine they follow after school carries through to good habits at home.
After school programs make it easy for children to mix with others outside of their regular social circles. Planned games can help them form new friendships, while unstructured free play gives them space to seek out their new buddies by choice. Shared downtime gives them the opportunity to relax together and discover common interests such as hobbies or creative arts.
Children with healthy friendships at school often come home happier and are less demanding because one of their key needs is being met. Playing with friends helps them release built-up stress, and they come home less burdened.
Hands-On Fun: New Activities
While the schedule is predictable, it’s never boring! There are plenty of opportunities for experiencing new activities that are fun and full of mind-growing facts. They’ll explore basic math and science concepts through cooking activities, experience the principles of physics through water play or begin dabbling in technology such as coding.
Unlocking A World Of Discovery At Home
Exposure to new, interesting concepts can stir fascination in the heart of a young person. If an activity catches their attention, they may come home and want to recreate it with you. An interest in the world around them can develop into a passion that leads them into a fulfilling career. Never underestimate the potency of the seeds of curiosity planted in their hearts when they’re young.
A Balanced After School Program Versus Child Minding
Supervision without a program will ensure that your child is safe, but a carefully planned program makes their afternoons meaningful in a way that takes pressure off home. Knowing that your child is having a good time frees you to focus on your work without feeling guilty.
Find An After School Care Your Child Will Love In Parkland
Imagine this: You’re done with work for the day, you pick up your child, and go home together to catch up on their day. There are no homework battles and bedtime is easy as they’re tired and ready to sleep. Coming home quickly becomes something to look forward to once again. Enrolling your child in a quality after school care program is a big step in that direction!
At our Parkland Children’s Academy Afterschool Care Program we’ve created a caring environment to ensure your child feels at home. Our program is carefully balanced to give them what they need to thrive. Contact us to enroll your child and experience the difference for yourself.