Kids 5-8

Learn how to estimate after school program cost with a simple step by step framework and plan a budget that fits your family. Start planning today.  


Art & Crafts

After School Program Cost Calculator Guide For Parents

Tweens 9-12

A practical guide to finding local kids activities, comparing programs, discovering low-cost options, and building a schedule that works.

Sportsfield activities

A Practical Guide for Busy Parents to Local Kids Programs, Classes, and Community Activities

The article highlights the increasing engagement of children in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. STEM helps children to learn about these subjects while also applying their knowledge practically, developing problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity. As the world moves towards tech-driven industries, early exposure to STEM is vital. Children, even as young as six, are learning complex skills like building robots and programming. STEM toys are also growing in popularity, aiming to stimulate curiosity and encourage exploration. The benefits of STEM for children include nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovation. Parents, teachers, and organizations are crucial in supporting children's interest in STEM. Schools are integrating STEM into their curriculum, and organizations like Code.org, TechGirlz, and Girls Who Code are striving to make STEM education accessible to all children.

STEM/STEAM

Why Kids Are Loving STEM (and Why You Should Too!)

The article provides seven tips for mothers on how to trust a camp or afterschool program for their child. These are: checking the reputation of the camp or program through recommendations and online reviews; understanding the safety measures in place; visiting the program or camp to observe the environment; meeting the staff and learning about their qualifications, training and experience; understanding the program or camp's policies on discipline, illness and communication; checking for accreditation from national organizations; and trusting their instincts. The article emphasizes the importance of diligent research, observation, and intuition to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

Math

How to Trust Your Child's Camp or Afterschool Program

The Weekend Wonder List offers family-approved activities for memorable weekends. The article suggests five activities and a bonus activity for rainy days. First, the list recommends trips to local orchards for fruit picking, which can be educational and result in tasty treats. Second, it suggests biking as a fitness-promoting activity that also allows families to explore their surroundings. The third option is a museum visit which is both educational and exciting, with many museums offering interactive exhibits and children-centered activities. Fourth, DIY crafts at home foster creativity and can be inexpensive. The fifth activity is a cooking challenge, which is both fun and educational, providing a tasty reward. The bonus activity for rainy days is a movie marathon, creating a cozy atmosphere at home. The list aims to offer variety, fun, and creates beautiful memories for families.

Field Trips

Memorable Weekend Activity List Every Family Will Love

<p>The article discusses the increasing popularity of yoga among tweens, highlighting its numerous physical and mental benefits. Physically, yoga can help teenagers maintain flexibility, build strength, improve posture, enhance balance and coordination, and boost overall fitness levels. It can also promote healthier eating habits by increasing body awareness. Mentally, yoga can help manage stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, improve sleep quality, and enhance concentration and focus. The practice can provide teenagers with tools to navigate the challenges of adolescence, promoting overall wellbeing, and serving as a stabilizing lifestyle choice.</p>


Yoga

The Power of Yoga for Tweens

The article recommends five digital tools that can help parents streamline their afterschool planning. Google Calendar is noted for its user-friendly interface that can color-code activities for each family member, set recurring events, and share schedules with others. Cozi Family Organizer is a comprehensive tool that not only includes a shared calendar, but also features like to-do lists, meal planners, shared reminders, and space to store recipes and create grocery lists. Trello, a project management tool, can be used to visually track the progress of different activities and collaborative projects. For assigning and tracking children's chores, the article suggests ChoreMonster, which gamifies chores by offering points for task completion that can be exchanged for rewards. Lastly, Evernote is recommended as a versatile note-taking app that allows parents to jot down ideas, schedules and even record voice notes. These tools can help parents ensure their children manage their time and responsibilities effectively, thus promoting a balanced and stress-free routine.

Story Telling

Five Ingenious Tools Every Parent Needs for Streamlined Afterschool Planning

The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of having a trampoline at home. Pros include fun and fitness as trampolines promote cardiovascular health, strength, balance, and overall fitness. They also encourage social interaction and improve coordination and body control. Additionally, jumping on a trampoline can serve as a form of stress relief. However, cons include safety concerns as trampolines can cause serious injuries. They require a significant amount of outdoor space and regular maintenance. Furthermore, having a trampoline at home may result in higher home insurance rates or even denial of coverage. Those considering a trampoline should evaluate these pros and cons and consult with their insurance providers.

Trampoline

Trampolines at Home: Risky Fun or Healthy Play?

The article discusses the benefits of introducing cooking to young children as a significant contributor to their growth and development. It enhances fine motor skills like precision and hand-eye coordination through tasks such as chopping and stirring. Cooking also provides a practical application for mathematical and scientific understanding, like measuring ingredients and seeing how heat alters food. Moreover, it promotes healthy eating habits as children become curious about their meals and appreciate homemade, balanced food. It boosts self-confidence as a successful recipe completion gives the child a sense of accomplishment and feeling of capability. The collaborative nature of cooking also offers quality family time, fostering bonding and cooperation. It teaches patience and focus, essential in an era of instant gratification. Cooking also increases cultural awareness as children can explore different global cuisines and traditions. Thus, cooking is not just about meal preparation; it is a multifaceted educational tool that aids in the overall personality and worldview development of children.

Cooking

The Many Benefits of Introducing Cooking to Young Children

Embroidery is not just for adults, but also for children who can reap numerous benefits from this craft. Firstly, it allows children to express creativity and boost their self-confidence as they can create anything from simple floral patterns to complex landscapes. Secondly, it helps enhance fine motor skills as handling needle and thread requires precision and coordination. Moreover, embroidery teaches children the concept of patience and perseverance as it requires time and attention to detail. In the digital era, it provides a break from screen time and can act as a stress reliever due to its calming and repetitive nature. Embroidery kits for kids are easily available in the market, often featuring fun designs. Once comfortable with the basics, children can start experimenting with their designs and embroider different items. Embroidery for kids is therefore a tool for creative expression, skill development, and learning patience and perseverance.

Embroidery

Building Fine Motor Skills with Embroidery

Teens 13-18

Houston

The article explores the pros and cons of tween and teen entrepreneurship. The advantages include the development of essential life and business skills, financial independence, real-world education, and increased confidence and self-esteem. However, the potential downsides include possible impact on academic performance and social activities, financial loss risks, emotional stress, and legal complexities. Therefore, it's critical for parents and educational institutions to provide support, guidance, and mentorship to these young entrepreneurs, while ensuring they maintain a balanced life and still enjoy their childhood.

Entrepreneurship

The Pros and Cons of Tween and Teen Entrepreneurship

According to a survey by the Afterschool Alliance, parent satisfaction with afterschool programs is at a record high with 94% of parents satisfied with these programs. The report identifies five areas where the programs are beneficial: life skills development, homework assistance, STEM learning, physical activities, and provision of healthy meals. Notably, 96% of parents believed the programs were key to building vital life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, and 73% said the programs helped with homework. Additionally, 73% acknowledged the importance of STEM learning opportunities, while 85% appreciated the inclusion of physical activities in the programs. Finally, 70% of parents valued the provision of healthy snacks or meals. The survey concludes that these programs play a crucial role in a child's development and academic success.

Why Every Parent Should Consider Afterschool Programs

The article provides tips for planning the perfect birthday party. It suggests starting by deciding on a theme that reflects the birthday person's interests and personality which will guide the rest of the planning. It emphasizes the importance of setting a budget early in the process as it will influence the venue, guest list, food, drinks, and decorations. The venue and date should be chosen with the guests' availability in mind. Invitations should match the theme and be sent well in advance. The menu should consider guests preferences, dietary restrictions and the time of the day. Planning fun activities for guests and decorating the venue according to the theme also adds to the party's success. The article concludes by reminding readers that the goal of the party is to ensure the birthday person and guests have fun, and advises maintaining a relaxed attitude during the planning process.

Organizing the Ultimate Birthday Bash

This article provides a comprehensive guide to managing screen time for different age groups, based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization. For babies up to 18 months, the AAP recommends no screen time except for video chatting. Toddlers aged 18 to 24 months can be gradually introduced to screen time, with active supervision and interaction from parents. Preschoolers should limit their screen time to one hour per day, while older children and teenagers should have consistent screen time limits that do not interfere with sleep, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors. Although there are no formal screen time guidelines for adults, it is important to model healthy digital habits and balance screen time with physical activity and productive work. All the guidelines emphasize the importance of quality content, active engagement, and a digital environment that supports overall health and learning.

Visual Arts

Navigating Screen Time Guidelines for Different Ages: A Comprehensive Guide

Preschool 2-4

This article introduces 'Positive Discipline', a parenting approach that nurtures responsible, respectful, and resourceful individuals through encouraging, respectful discipline. Techniques include setting clear expectations and boundaries, effective communication, wise use of time-outs, encouraging problem-solving skills, reinforcing good behavior, practicing empathy, maintaining consistency, and being a role model. The goal of positive discipline is not to control children but to help them learn self-control. Parents are advised to be patient and understanding, and to continue learning and improving in their parenting approaches.

Exploration

Positive Discipline Techniques for Parents: Guiding Your Child Towards Better Behavior

The article emphasizes the importance of balancing screen time with outdoor activities for children in order to promote physical and mental wellness. It suggests several nature-based afterschool activities, including nature walks, gardening, outdoor sports, nature crafts, and scavenger hunts. These activities not only ensure physical health but also educate children about nature, nurture their creativity, and develop their skills. The article encourages parents and educators to integrate outdoor activities into children's routines, offering them a healthy mix of physical activity, educational exploration, and fun, ultimately fostering their overall well-being and connection to the world around them.

Anna Kelley