Learning & Development

Because of the wide variety of ages and the chances to learn by doing, children in before and after school programs have great opportunities to develop in all five domains. Many of the older children are already on their way to acquiring the skills and abilities necessary to understand symbolic and abstract levels, and they are able to share these with the younger children.

Social and Emotional Development

In this setting children have plenty of situations to learn in a social context. Here they are allowed to explore freely, with the support of adults and other children. Older children can cultivate leadership skills and nurturing traits through mentoring younger children. Younger children benefit from personal and language interactions with a wide variety of children, including older children and those with varied skill levels. These social interactions increase all children's intelligence, academic success, and emotional stability.

Approaches Toward Learning

To further the learning that takes place during school hours, this care time must allow the children to learn through alternative means. Interacting with the real world in fun, creative, and challenging ways complements formal learning.

• Let children develop their senses through the use and interactions of all the senses. Let them taste, touch, see, hear, and smell all that is available to them.
• Help them learn to be learners. Give them objects and materials that they can control, such as modeling clay, blocks, crayons, dolls and trucks, so they can learn cause and effect and self-control.
• Encourage them to be active learners and problem solvers.
• Foster their internal motivation.
• Help them develop their attention spans and resist distractions.
• Play games that require attention and visualization.
• Have them read out loud and speculate what the scene and characters look like, smell like, and feel like.

Language Development

Children need time to develop knowledge of language and words through use and practice.

• Encourage the many social activities that children love to engage in.
• Allow them plenty of time to communicate with their peers, and encourage interactions among the multiple age groups.
• Teach them the silly poems and rhyming songs that you loved as a child such as Anna, Anna, Banana.
• Make up games that require lots of physical activity as well as communication, such as Red Rover.
• Recognize that many fun activities children willingly engage in, such as dramatic play, singing and dancing, encourage language development.

Cognition and General Knowledge

Children can be taught causal reasoning (if I do this, then that will occur). But if they physically experience the results of their actions, the connection between the cause and effect will be much stronger. Before and after school, many activities and board games allow children to experience this type of causal reasoning.

The mix of the children in the program allows them to learn and experience social-causal reasoning as well. By playing and interacting regularly with others of different backgrounds and age ranges, children have time to develop an understanding of how their actions affect others.

Physical Well-Being and Motor Development

Physical well-being and motor development are an important part of children's success in school. Before and after school time can strengthen their learning achievements as children are generally encouraged to make use of their whole bodies during this time. They have time to run and play, and release pent-up emotions and energy.

They are able to connect with other children . They are able to make a physical connection and understand their relationship to other things and other people in a less structured and formal environment. The healthy snack often included is another important aspect, especially in the before-school program where it ensures proper nutrition before the school day begins.

Return to Top