Any after school program becomes successful if they make the child happy and can take charge of the child considering his safety and security.

The main aspect would be it will contribute to the overall development of the child. They should also give something new to the child which they can look forward to. The same studies which are being done in the school are not the right thing for the child and they would loose interest within no time.

They need to develop social skills like getting along with their siblings, and getting along with their fellow students and also getting used to the children outside their circle of friends. The program also should be able to keep them safe and secure in the environment from any outside forces and to deal with the problem if arises.

The program which a child likes will be a good after school program and make it easy for the child to attend the same. Their interest and likes and dislikes should be considered while recruiting them for the after school program or they will get bored and would not like to attend the same. The after school program, should be fun for the child and he should have a circle of friends with him who are also opted for the program.

The after school program should be able to keep the child interested and should be structured and organized. They should also be according to the age of the child. The child should be taken into confidence and they should know the purpose of the program and what he can accomplish if he joins that program.

The children due their sedentary life are growing fatter day by day and many parents are struggling to keep their children’s weight down. As a parent it is highly impossible to look into the children’s eyes and refuse food to them.

The number one reason for obese children is the sedentary life because of Television. Most of the kids like to sit and watch Television and munch on anything which is in front of them and most of the time they like to have junk food and colas which does not contain any nutrition but only cause harm and make them obese and fat.

Most recreational activity will prevent the children from stuffing themselves with the junk food and they can be kept away from becoming fat. The early good eating habits can be developed in the children to keep them away from junk food. The earlier the activities start it will be easier for the children to keep that extra weight off them. Depending on their choices you can recruit them for football, swimming, skating and Karate are some of the activities which can keep the child occupied and in discipline.

From the early age the parents can teach the children the benefit of exercise. For this the children need to be enrolled into after school programs where instead of sitting in front of TV they can enjoy them and be with their friends and can put that extra kilo off their bodies.

Since the after school programs were introduced, many researchers feel that the parents are burdening their children with all the activities and they have not enough time to be kids. The children directly from school is required to go for their other activities like sports, dance classes, field trips they do not get time for their home and they are also deprived of sitting with their families and especially older members of the family. They are deprived of listening to elder’s life experiences and their stories.

Some of the children are burdened with so many activities that it creates stress in the children and the immediate family. The child seems to be always on the run and is expected to achieve the best in all their activities. This leads to stress in children as they do need to concentrate on their regular studies and excel in that too.

Earlier, the child would go home after school and the parents would wait for them lovingly and take care of them at home. But the social and economic realities make both the parents work and there is no one at home to receive the kids and therefore they would like to keep them busy with all the after school schedules.

For children whose both parents are working these classes are a gift as they do not have anyone at home taking care of them and hence they are safe at the facility for after school activities.

The children should have limited activity or there are chances of their being burned out early and the parents should understand that these activities are only for support and are complimentary in nature therefore they should be in limit.

Halloween is the time to enjoy. You can include all your family, friends and neighbors in the game which is known as “Boo”. It is a very popular game in many parts of the country. But there are chances that you may not have heard about the same.Even if you think that people are not interested in any type of activity but the festive season brings out the best in them and they are ready to participate in all sorts of fun activities.

For the game you will need to start up a little earlier like the end of September or early October. Here you get a few poems either print it or written ones and the instructions on the color paper. Get a treat bowl with candy. The candles, Halloween socks or any thing which you can imagine can also be used to “Boo” the family and neighbors. Here you “Boo” two people at a time and leave the instructions and poem and in turn they will “Boo” other neighbors.

Once you have already been “Boo” ed you can tape a Big Boo on your door to let everyone know that you have already been hit. If you want all the neighbors to get involved you will need time hence it is advisable to start early. Just when people are starting to think about Halloween you can start. This will help you in getting the material as soon as the season starts.

This is the right time for the enjoyment. To start with you find a “Boo” poem and make copies. There are many poems here is one sample

“Boo!
To our good friends on the street;
Our homes’ locations made us meet;
You now have been Boo’d, but who would we be?
We’ll never tell, it’s a secret, you see.
We placed these goodies for you and yours;
Then we ran fast, after knocking the door!
Happy Halloween!”

Or it might be a big longer, something like this:

“The air is cool, the season fall
Soon Halloween will come to all;
The neighbors are after things to do
In fact, a neighbor brought this to you;
“Boo” is a sign of friendship power
Just hang it up and watch it double by hour;
On your front door is where it works
It wards off solicitors and scary jerks;
The treat that came with friendly note
Are yours to keep; enjoy them both;
The power comes when friends like you
Copy this and make it two;
Then others here among our friends
Will give warm fuzzies that will not end;
We’ll all have smiles upon our face
No one will know who “boo’ed” whose place;
Just one short day to share your Boo
You must be quick so they don’t know who;
And don’t forget a nifty treat
Like something cute or something sweet;
Please join the fun, let’s really hear it
And spread some “Boos” and neighborhood spirit!

Make sure you include a cute photo of a ghost or something that looks like a ‘Boo”. You can give instructions to every one or make a pamphlet to distribute among the neighbors for the instructions. Then attach the poem to goodie bag, box or a basket and put it on neighbors door steps. If this is the first time in your neighbor hood make sure you have kept the “Boo” at more than two houses.

This will ensure that more and more people participate in the fun of Booing. The fun is that the neighborhood is full of “Boo” doors by the Halloween night!

The after school program are taking the children out of the home for longer and longer periods of time. The parents think if the are at after school programs, they are safe. But the parents need to look into the safety issues of the after school programs before enrolling the kids into it.

The children are vulnerable when they are outside the class and not in the care of their school teachers. Especially, returning or going to the class they should be able to take the safe route home or the class. Children like to play with the other kids after programs. Make sure they know the danger zones in the area and stay away from them.

The child should be prepared for the emergencies and the parents should teach them how to deal with an emergency and discuss with them. They should be allowed to voice their opinions on the subject.

What to do during the medical emergencies? What to do suddenly if the classes are cancelled? These all the things you should make the children aware and show them how to cope with such emergencies. They should also know whom to call in an emergency, keep the phone numbers for all such emergencies handy. If the child is left alone, at any time at home, discuss what steps they will take and tell them close all the doors and to use the safety chains always.

The children should be taught to stay in groups and avoid going home through the street which is isolated. Keep the neighbors or friends phone number with the child who can be contacted immediately on emergency and stays close by.

The saying goes “Child is the father of the man” and it is true in today’s world. Today the whole focus is towards children and the safety and development of the children is the prime concern of any society. The Government of all the countries are doing their best to give proper learning facilities and the school programs for the children.

The main reason why the school programs are so popular is:

1) The crimes mostly happens during the time of 3.00pm to 4.00pm. and therefore at that time the children needs to be kept safe and out of trouble at that time. It prevents Juvenile Delinquency and crime.

2) Preventing drug alcohol and tobacco use. These destructive behaviors are not likely to take place if the child is happy with their mentors and is busy with the studies, or some program which will not give them time to think about such destructive things.

3) Once the child is busy with the school program which they enjoy they will not watch television and they will be busy with something which will give them mental and physical skills.
4) Improve academic achievements.

5) The school attendance with improve with the interest in the school and their programs will increase. A program which helps the children with their homework will keep them busy. It will help them feel confident and will have a sense of achievements.

6) The children can handle the problems better when they attend after school activities and are busy with the programs. They are more cooperative and understanding with all.

7) They are more closer to their family members and community and are ready to help others.

The books are not of much interest to the children of today as they are more into the television and the computer monitors. The reading as a passion is not seen in the children today and to get that in children the parents need to start the reading program when the children are very young. How can we get that reading in the children ?

1) Let the child join some reading classes: This will help children to get the habit of reading the books which they can enjoy and they can discuss with their friends. If the child is very young then you can get them the picture story books which will keep them interested
in those books. Try to read them the story and show them the picture and you can go a step further and show them the pictures and tell them to make a story of their own.
2) If your child is interested in certain cartoon characters then get your child the books of that character which will attract them to the books.
3) start a small library for the child and see them pick up the books and read by themselves this will help them in making a habit of reading. The internet can also help you in picking the books for your child.
Do not rely only on after school programs for reading make it a ritual at home to read books and see the children get into the same habit like yours.

The after school activities are gaining the momentum as the children are getting more addicted to the Televisions or gaming zones they are not getting any exercise for their body as well as mind. They are all sitting like a zombie and watching television or playing games.

To start you will need to contact the school and find out if they offer any after school activities in the school premises. If they have various courses get the list of the activities available in the school and find out what your child is interested in and would look forward to it. This will be a good thing for the children as they are familiar with the place and people around the school.

If the school does not have any such activities, look in the neighborhood for activities. Once you have all the information it is the best to discuss the same with your child and take their approval. It should be the activity which the child will enjoy.

If the child is too small then you can try and decide what sort of activity a child would like and would be comfortable with. If the child is new to that activity try and monitor his development and if he is not making any progress try to search for other options.

Bear in mind the extra curriculum activities are to be planned as the family schedule. If you feel you are not able to ferry your child to the place of the activity then it is best you plan a activity for the child by employing the teachers at home or try and take out some time for the children to visit zoo, or museum which will be a good thing for the child as well as you.

You can include the children in the neighborhood and make a picnic or a visit to the places of interest a fun.

Children can learn many things from the nature, Even if you are not going out anywhere, your own backyard is a good enough place where they can learn about so many things. To explore nature with children is such an experience that the adult also can enjoy and learn many things, which are new to the children. The nature is full of fun and excitement and you can show your child the good things in life. There is so much to see and learn in the nature.
Firstly, you can enjoy the sunrise and the sunsets from your backyard, which is always different and looks very exciting.

Everyday there will be new birds thronging your trees in the backyard. The birds can be exciting as there will be many visiting seasonally and if you have bird feed kept in your backyard you can see many birds.
You can make the bird watching so much excitement that you can buy books on the birds, a notebook to write their experiences if they are big enough and may be camera to click different birds. You can see the birds from the eye view of the children what they perceive and what they see.

The bird watching can be a fun activity after school for the children who enjoy it. You just need to help them by getting them books on the subject.
Birds are the only things which nature holds you can show the children trees, plants, the small animals, the bugs and some of the insects. There are many books on insects available in the market with which the children can find out the name of the insect and all other details.

The bugs and insects can be kept in a jar for the child to see and observe. You can get number of insect catching equipments in the toys store or local pet shop, which you can give the children to catch the insects and keep them in the jars. This will be a good study for the children. The butterfly with different colored wings and patterns always attract the children and you can get them the net to catch the butterflies and observe them.

The children are mostly aware that the bugs, insects and the birds are living beings but they are do not know that the plants and trees are also living beings. You can show the children different types of trees like fruit bearing tree, flower trees etc. Same like the other thins there are many books available for the tree enthusiast who can look at the books and compare the trees in the backyard or in the gardens. Along with the children, you can also start learning the names of the trees and shrubs.

The children will love all this and they can learn along as well. There is so much in the nature that their learning experience will be an enjoyable one. The nature has a lot to offer to all the children and the adult.