| Government funding cutbacks have left some | | | | 4-H clubs. Reading clubs are another |
| school boards strapped for cash. | | | | possible. Take your child to visit the |
| Unfortunately, when budgets are gone, so are | | | | public library or local theater. |
| vital school programs like extra-curricular | | | | Parent-child book clubs are also interesting |
| activities. It's a fact of life that could | | | | options. Ask around to see if like-minded |
| leave you worrying whether your child is | | | | parents and their children are interesting in |
| getting enough activity outside of school | | | | starting a community after-school reading |
| hours. | | | | program. |
| | | | |
| After school programs do not necessarily have | | | | After-school programs can be expensive, and |
| to be taught by professional teachers in a | | | | additional academics can often overwhelm |
| school environment. There are so many ways | | | | children. If your child is not interested in |
| that parents can take up where school boards | | | | academics, sports or music, turn to your |
| have left off. Don't worry about structure | | | | community. Children of all ages love to help |
| or formality; most kids are over-scheduled as | | | | in any way they can, and every community is |
| it is. The key is to enhance your child's | | | | in need of volunteers. Take your child to |
| physical, academic and social development, | | | | join in community clean-up projects, to help |
| and a relaxed home-based environment is the | | | | out at a homeless shelter, or visit the |
| perfect place to do it. | | | | elderly. Choose activities that are suitable |
| | | | to the age and emotional level of your child. |
| School should be top priority for every child | | | | He or she can gain invaluable experience and |
| and every parent. Children need to attend | | | | learn lessons they'd never receive in a |
| school regularly, and then fulfill their | | | | conventional classroom. |
| homework, reading and writing obligations. | | | | |
| This may take about 30-60 minutes. After | | | | Childhood obesity is a plague to North |
| these obligations are met, it's fun time. | | | | American children. If a lack of physical |
| The trick is to find interesting and | | | | activity presents a problem in your |
| fulfilling programs or activities for your | | | | household, it would be wise to enroll your |
| child to take part in, whether inside or | | | | child in a group sport. Baseball, soccer, |
| outside the home. | | | | hockey, dance lessons, gymnastics.. there are |
| | | | countless fun ways for your child to get fit. |
| If your child develops certain academic, | | | | Better yet, have your child choose an |
| physical or artistic preferences and | | | | activity that you can enjoy together, such as |
| interests, try to find a program in a college | | | | swimming, cycling or tennis. Join the local |
| or a community center that's interesting, | | | | Y and attend a family gym. Or just go to the |
| helpful and encouraging. Piano instruction, | | | | park and play a game of tag. You'll both |
| athletic teams or even pottery lessons can | | | | feel better for it. |
| offer fun and enrichment to your child. | | | | |
| | | | Your child does not necessarily have to be a |
| The Internet is a wonderful resource of good | | | | part of an organized group, or be under an |
| information. Encourage your child to search | | | | instructor's watch, to benefit from |
| online and learn more about the things he or | | | | after-school activities. There are many ways |
| she enjoys. Whether it's a love of animals | | | | to keep a child physically, mentally and |
| or an interest in space exploration, children | | | | emotionally active, even after the school |
| can research independently and gain more | | | | bell rings. Having fun and learning after |
| knowledge than any formal after-school | | | | school can be as simple as helping Dad make |
| programs could offer. | | | | dinner, or giving Mom a hand in the garden. |
| | | | Involving the kids in daily activities can |
| If you are concerned that your child needs | | | | provide them with a refreshing |
| more peer interaction, look for groups or | | | | extracurricular experience, and improve your |
| clubs. Active kids do well with scouting or | | | | family ties. |