After school program - recreational vs. educational

Indeed, your child is starting to get uneasy and make you restless. He has got more time than is beneficial for him, and you are now looking at after school programs - anything that will keep him occupy for a few life-saving hours! Most after school activities can be generally classified into three - recreational, educational and society-oriented. The final bit usually gets in when your child is already a bit grown up and can voice his own concerns.

Educational activities will help in growing the knowledge of your child. His general awareness, his understanding and his memory are targeted and he is given several techniques that will assist him better one or all of these. Curricula such as intensive memory training and speed mathematics are educational after school activities. There are educational program that will look into your child's homework and class work and assist the child acquire more in-depth knowledge in the diverse subjects. Hence academic programs have a certain edge over the fun and games, particularly if parents find that their child has very much of learning to do.

Recreational activities consist of sports and games, fine arts, painting etc. The primary objective here is to have fun. Naturally, classes become more competitive as the child climbs up the ladder. Many sport events, contests, stage performances etc are organized to boost the child.

When we equate the merits of the two kinds of activities, I conceive that the recreational programs deliver more substance. First of all, children do not delight in learning unless they themselves feel curious about something. Most academic programs are standardized courses that are less flexible. They have a general aim and a well presented methodology. After a number of hours at school, the child may feel drilled. Further study may drown him and cause him feel frustrated. Burnout is a great deal of possibility here.

Recreational programs provide a welcome break from the monotony of learning and studies. The mental challenge and the physical exertion make the child feel a regenerated zest and a pleasing sense of fulfillment. Group activity enables him to learn social skills, discipline and patience. It is an established fact that children taking part in extra curricular activities gain better grades compare to others. Sometimes closing up the textbooks and playing a game might be the better way to deal with their studies.

Regardless of the program you select for your child, regular evaluation is the key to success. You will have to assess the child's progress. If progress is dissatisfactory, move your child out of the program. The child must also have the freedom to refuse an activity if and when he feels drilled with it. In general, programs that mixes the educational with the recreational are most well suited especially for younger children. This way, children can learn while they have fun.

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