After-school programs: Good for kids and the community

By: Jacqueline Bodnar

Most parents who work are not off at the same time their kids get out of school. That leaves them wondering what is the best option to cover that gap in time. Two of the common options they consider are having the kids take care of themselves and after school programs. Research shows that one is far better than the other.

      Latch key kids are those children that care for themselves after school until an adult gets home. Instead of having children care for themselves after school, parents should consider after-school programs. They are a great benefit to families and communities alike as they provide a safe and structured environment for a child. Quality programs give parents peace of mind during those few hours between the school bell and work whistle. Research has shown that there is a host of problems that can occur when children go home to a house with no adult supervision.

      According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are approximately 7 million children across the country between the ages of 5 and 14 that are regularly left unsupervised. Most often those children left alone are of middle school age. The very age that research shows to be a vulnerable time to lack supervision. For the most part these children are either home alone, caring for their siblings, or hanging out with their friends.

      High-quality after--school programs have proven to help improve academic achievement, increase student attendance and the child’s overall interest in school. Children feel a stronger connection to school when they attend the programs, which could also help to reduce dropout rates.

Vulnerable Time Period

“It has been shown across the nation that between the hours of three and six, crime against children goes up,” explains Annemarie Avanti, the executive director of the Arizona School Age Coalition, one association that promotes quality care for children and youth during their out-of-school time. During these three hours children are more likely to become victims of a crime. Research also shows that children are more prone to engaging in risky behaviors during these hours. 

      According to a report by Fight Crime Invest in Kids, the prime time for violent juvenile crime is during the three hours after children get out of school. The crimes they report that occur include murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assault. Their report shows that violent juvenile crime triples around 3:00 p.m. It reflects that during those particular hours that if children are left to care for themselves, they are more likely to:

1.  Get hooked on cigarettes and experiment with drugs

2.  Engage in sexual intercourse leading to higher rates of teenage pregnancy

3.  Get hooked on video games that often have a violent nature

4.  Be killed by household or other types of accidents

5.  Have poor nutrition and excessively view poor quality television

When children reach the age of 10, they are more often being left home alone. It’s estimated that around 35 percent of 12-year-olds are routinely left home alone after school. “Middle school is the worst time to leave kids alone,” says Avanti. She explains that this is not to say that all children that care for themselves after school are going to get into trouble. There are parents that have worked enough with their children in setting rules and boundaries that the children will follow through. However, the research shows that the likelihood of their getting into trouble increases along with the amount of time spent without adult supervision.

After-School Programs Are Good for All

The community also benefits when children are engaged after school. Research has shown that quality after school programs can:

1.  Reduce the amount of juvenile violence and crime

2.  Lower the number of cases of drug addiction and use

3.  Help to lower the amount of children getting involved in risky behaviors like drinking alcohol and smoking

4.  Reduce the number of teen pregnancies and those engaging in sexual activity

5.  Increase a child’s success in school along with helping to increase graduation rates

6.  Keep kids safe from accidents and predators

7.  Save taxpayers money, as for every dollar invested in after school programs there is a savings of $8.00 to $12.00

Finding Quality Programs

The majority of voters agree that spending money on after-school programs is beneficial to the community. Yet the country still falls short on the funding for and availability of quality programs. Several schools both public and private in Central Georgia have after-school programs. Additionally, some daycare programs are exceptional.

      When you are looking for a good accredited program seek out those that will stimulate your child. Look for programs where the children stay busy, there is a good staff to child ratio, and the program encourages your child to grow emotionally and socially. If you are having trouble finding one in your area get a group of parents together that need the program and work with the school to create one.

RESOURCES

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.  www.aacap.org

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. America’s After School Choice: The Prime Time for Juvenile Crime, or Youth Enrichment and Achievement. www.fightcrime.org