Good After School Recreational Activities

The words 'after school activities' are often misconceived. Some might feel that since these activities are after school, they are of little importance. Those who think so could not be more wrong. According to research, children gain some of their most important skills from after school programs.  It has been noticed that children who do not perform extracurricular activities are generally slow and less vibrant.

The after school activities must be implemented in an environment that is as disciplined and as efficient as that in school. Normally, these environments are where children acquire essential skill goal setting and time management. Time management is a crucial skill to learn. Children must experience the discipline in staying on task until it’s completed, to appreciate the gratitude of accomplishing the mission in the allotted time.  The best programs are those that are both recreational and educational, especially activities that are age-appropriate and integrate with what happens in school.

After school program s helps strengthen children’s interests.  They can also help them discover their natural abilities for some activities.  Children will need a good collection of skills in addition to their academic achievement in order to succeed in this dynamic world.  

In addition to the acquired educational and disciplinary benefits of these programs, they tend to also keep children off the streets and out of trouble while parents are still at work. According to Gottfredson, Gerstenblith, Soule, Womer, and Lu, "Children and adolescents who are not supervised by an adult for extended periods of time are at elevated risk for engaging in problem behavior".

Good after school programs keep children busy, active, healthier, and distracted of bad peer influence. 

Make it Fun to Learn For Your Student

Often times student complain of boredom in school or in a certain subject.  This could be a signal for low or declining grades, and therefore the overall performance in school. Motivating students might not be an easy task. It could take time, skills and lots of patience. 

Some students are naturally, intrinsically motivated and enthusiastic about learning; however, many rely on outside forces, like parents and teachers, for continuous inspiration.  Unfortunately, there is not a magical formula for motivating students. Many factors affect the student’s motivation to effectively learn.  However, research has proved that students learn better when the subject is fun to learn and enjoyable. 

In many situations, the subject is not the problem; the problem is in the way the content is introduced to the student.  Feeding information to students is not proper teaching, and does not contribute to motivating students. Inspiration comes from the way the information is presented to the student so that it becomes interesting and fun to learn.  

According to (Lowman, 1984; Lucas, 1990; Weinert and Kluwe, 1987; Bligh, 1971), Instructors need to do the following to encourage self motivation:

• Give frequent, early, positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well.
• Ensure opportunities for students' success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.
• Help students find personal meaning and value in the material.
• Create an atmosphere that is open and positive.
• Help students feel that they are valued members of a learning community.

In order to make our students achieve we need to engage them in fun games and fun activities, relative to learning, and give them the opportunity to enjoy.  Unless students have a good interest in doing something, they will not approach it enthusiastically. This is where innovative methods must come in to aid the learning process and establish the fun to learn factor.  

Making it Fun to Learn

Anyone can learn almost anything they want as long as they have the proper tools and the time to learn it. Learning tools should be more than just instructional content. They should encompass diverse methods of presenting content so that it delivers excitement.  Look for reading and math games, for instance, that can make your student strongly interested and engaged in the learning activity. You will find many enjoyable, learning games for different subjects and different levels that could be of great help to you and your student. 


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