After School Article Archive

• 5 Meaningful Community Service Ideas for StudentsCommunity service for teens is becoming a graduation requirement in most high schools. Here’s how to make that volunteer time really mean something to your child.
• Should Kids Be Forced To Finish Activities They've Started?It’s a familiar story: Your child begs to sign up for an activity, then weeks later refuses to go and begs you to let him quit. Our experts offer help in handling this frustrating scenario, as well as tips for preventing it in the future.
• 15 Tips for Managing the After-School Activities JuggleKeeping kids busy after school is a good thing, but participating in many activities without advance planning is inviting miscommunication, forgotten homework, and cranky families. Instead, enlist your kids’ efforts each week in planning their time.
• 12 Ways To Help Your Child Love the LibraryHave you and your child been to your local library lately? In addition to wonderful books, today’s libraries offer multimedia options, community events, fun activities, and more—and all for free.
• Concussions in Youth Sports: When in Doubt, Sit It OutThe incidence of concussion among student athletes is on the rise, as is knowledge about trauma the brain sustains during and after a concussion. Many states have passed legislation requiring school concussion management plans, but awareness of concussion symptoms begins with parents—and student athletes themselves.
• 7 Ideas for Celebrating Leap Day2012 is a Leap Year! Celebrate that extra day in February—the 29th—with your kids, using some of these fun and educational activities.
• Geocaching 101: Family Fun for All, in Every SeasonHow about taking the whole family on a scavenger hunt, except one that’s held outdoors and uses high-tech navigation? Learn about this latest outdoor craze that even little ones can enjoy.
• Outdoor Winter Activities To Enjoy With Your KidsIt may be snowy and chilly in most parts of the country during wintertime, but that’s no reason for you and your child to remain indoors.
• After-School EnergizersFun ideas for healthy snacks kids will actually eat.
• Parents Who Monitor Children Influence Behavior & GradesNow that your child is in middle school, you don’t need to hover over her every minute.
• Try ‘Waging War’ Against The TelevisionGetting kids to read more usually means getting them to turn off the TV.
• Having a Collection Boosts Academics and Self-EsteemStarting or keeping a collection is a great after-school activity for your child.
• Make Sure Children Are Ready To Be Left in the House AloneGenerally, experts say middle schoolers are ready to be home alone.
• Extracurricular Activities Are Fun, But Set Limits, PrioritiesA whole new world of activities, sports and clubs often opens up once a child reaches middle school.
• Help Your Child Plan a Healthy Television "Diet"The American Academy of Pediatrics says the average child watches three hours of TV a day, and that’s too much.
• Keep Your Child Out of Trouble During the After-School HoursThe hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. are a problem for many working parents.
• Plan Ahead to Make the Most Of Your Family’s TV Viewing TimeTV is criticized a lot these days.
• Provide Nutritious Snacks for After-School Study SessionsChances are, the refrigerator is your middle schooler’s first stop upon walking through the door after school.
• Start Planning a Fun, Enriching Summer With Your Child NowApril is a good month for you and your child to sit down and talk about how she will be spending the summer.
• Teach Your Child How to View Television CriticallyExperts say that when it comes to TV, parents need to do more than limit what their children watch.
• Middle Schoolers Can See the Value of VolunteeringIf your child hasn’t already become involved in volunteer activities, middle school is a good time to start.
• Community Service Programs Promote Fun and LearningStudies show that children who participate in community service have better grades and more interest in school than those who don’t.
• Look for Educational After-School Programs in Your TownMany towns do have places for children to spend safe time after school.
• After-School Activities Are Critical for High SchoolersYour teen has just started high school.
• Your Teen’s Résumé Can Be Enriched With Summer ClassesMany teens have interests that go beyond what they can take in high school.
• Encourage Your Teen to Have Fun & Productive WeekendsEvery teen needs some time each weekend to daydream, or just “hang out” with friends.
• Fill the ‘gap hours’ to keep your teenager in schoolExperts call the time from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. the “gap hours.”
• Help Your Teenager Schedule Activities Wisely This YearThe second half of the high school year is especially busy.
• Start an After-School Club to Meet Your Teen’s InterestsYour teen spends hours on the computer, but there’s no computer club at school.
• Encourage Your Teenager to Be Self-Directed During Free TimeYou know you should keep track of your teen during the late afternoon—the time when teens are most likely to get into trouble.
• Help Your Teen When There is ‘Nothing to Do’ This SummerFor many teens, the lazy days of summer are just that.
• Teens Can Combine Physical Fitness With Earning MoneyHas your teen become a couch potato?
• Organize the Day Ahead by Packing a Bag the Day BeforeAfter-school classes and activities are great fun. But getting everybody—and everything—in the right place at the right time can be a challenge!
• Try This 'Emergency Bag' When Kids Are Home AloneToday, many older children are home alone after school.
• Encourage Your Child Not to Quit Outside LessonsAlmost any child who takes piano, ballet or other lessons wants to quit sometimes. And parents get tired of nagging children to practice.
• Help Children Finish Activities They StartWhen children want to quit taking piano lessons, playing soccer, or participating in some other activity, parents have a fine line to walk.
• Get Your Kids To ExerciseRegular activity helps children do better in school. Use these creative ideas to add some physical movement to their day.
• Choosing After-School ActivitiesHow to make smart choices, judge how much is too much, and deal with lack of commitment once an activity is chosen.
• Homework 911You don’t have to feel like the homework police. Avoid emergencies with these expert tips.
• Finding Balance for Busy FamiliesKids have lots of options for activities these days, but an overscheduled child can go from busy to burned out in no time.