With so many activities on offer, how do you gauge the worth and effectiveness of each activity and its usefulness to your child? It is obviously important to be mindful of the child’s enjoyment, however, if this is your sole factor for selecting a child’s after school activity - they will probably end up in front of a playstation. In today’s tech-savvy world it is important not to waste time on pleasure for pleasure’s sake. There needs to be a good balance in any child’s life - and this includes after school activities.

Outlining and articulating your goals is a really important first step. When enrolling your child in an organised after-school course make sure you know what you are getting. Be sure you understand the structure and activity plan. Also double check how many kids will be making up the class. It is important to ask all the questions you can.

Ideally it is probably a good idea to make sure that the course will provide lots of opportunities for the young to increase their level of understanding of some more complex concepts. This is true of recreational activities too. Learning things like how to dance to a tune or throw a ball are all important for young kids. Whatever the activity involved the teaching philosophy should remain the same; child should be encouraged to grapple with and conquer new concepts. This not only keeps boredom at bay by challenging the child, but also builds up their self-confidence. Development of academic, personal and social skills is one of the prime aims of an after school activity. As the skills develop, it can play an important role in the development of the child’s self-esteem.

After school activities are all about boosting a child’s sense of competence and giving them an enjoyable and entertaining environment in which to spend this spare time. Good and effective after school activities promotes the resilience of youth and encourages them to grow stronger, be it mentally, emotionally or physically.

Safety is one of the first requirements of an after school activity. The staff should be qualified, adequate and alert. Never put your child in a programwhere safety is a matter of accident instead of a matter of priority. The staff should be friendly and should have a positive relationship with the child. Therefore, the program should have professional and trained staff that loves to interact with children. The program should maintain a cooperative and supportive attitude and a structured environment. Participation and collaboration as opposed to competition and antagonism must be encouraged.

Some programs involve the children in planning activities and making decisions. Adults often forget to get the opinion of their children. By giving thechildren an opportunity to voice their opinion, programs become fun activities that children are motivated to participate in. Young people thrive when they are listened to, respected and allowed to contribute their mite.

Routine evaluations are an important part of after school programs. If the child does not benefit from a class, don’t waste time being over-optimistic.

Try something new.

You are now ready to look for the perfect after school activity for your child. But don’t let us forget that having fun is also an important part of growing up. The child deserves a few hours of pure delight. Remember, all work and no play…