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عدد المساهمات : 19334
تاريخ التسجيل : 05/01/2011
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الموقع : http://sixhats.jimdo.com/
 | موضوع: Navigating After-School Care  الإثنين يوليو 23, 2012 5:32 pm | |
| How to Find the Best Fit for Your Child
By Shannon Philpott, Contributor
In a society where it’s common for both Mom and Dad to work outside the home, the typical 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t afford many parents the luxury of picking up their children from school.
As a working mother, Jolyn Brand quickly realized that after-school care was a necessity for her two children. Brand, a Texas-based independent education consultant, sought out day care centers, neighborhood home day cares and a high school baby sitter to provide after-school supervision. It was a challenge to find a fit for both her children, she said, and she ended up trying all three options.
“My daughter is quite the talkative girl and enjoys free time to play and talk to her friends,” Brand said. “My son, on the other hand, preferred quiet time to complete his homework and read.”
The challenges of arranging after-school care suitable for the entire family can cause stress for parents and children. Ease the pain and strain by assessing your needs and taking advantage of local resources to find the best fit for your child.
Assessing Children's NeedsBrand began investigating after-school care options by assessing the needs of her children. She evaluated their likes, dislikes, preferred activities, personalities and social skills. Since her daughter was more of a social butterfly, she wanted to find a center that allowed for free time and structured activities. Finding a center that would cater to her son, who preferred to read and complete his homework right away, was more challenging.
“When I asked about homework time, the director pointed to a set of tables,” she said. “In practice, the kids were told they had the options of doing homework or playing, which resulted in very few opting to complete their work. The few who did were also distracted by the kids playing and the noise.”
It’s also important to assess your child’s emotional needs, said Sara Lise Raff, an educational consultant and mother of three. “Parents need to know if their children have separation anxiety and, if they do, that the staff at the after-school program is prepared to handle it if the child cries,” she said. “Even if your child has apprehension, he should feel like he can participate without having you there.”
Raff suggested that parents get to know the staff’s qualifications to ensure that they can meet a child’s emotional and social needs. “Parents should ask if activities provided by the program provide loose exposure to children or if they teach formal skills,” she said.
The activities also must appeal to your child. Does the center offer specialized art instruction for creative minds or dance lessons for the aspiring ballerina? Does the program appeal to the athletic type or the studious child?
“Most general after-school programs look to reach the masses: They offer various classes and programs and try to change up the schedule with fun events and celebrations,” Raff said. “Other programs may be more limited and more focused on certain types of classes or academics. Parents and kids need to see the programs, look at schedules and always talk to the director before signing up for a program.”
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