After school Programs = Key to Success for Many Kids
FUNrichment After School Program at Sun Country Sports Center
Studies show that after school programs produce multiple benefits to youth’s personal, social, and academic life. Youth who participate in afterschool improve in key areas that foster student success in school including social and emotional development and avoidance of risky behaviors.
Healthy social and emotional development is critical to success in school. Participant behavior, interpersonal skills, goal setting and leadership skills are hallmarks of a successful student. Positive youth development outcomes associated with after school programs are:
- Decreased behavioral problems
- Improved social and communication skills
- Improved relationships with others including peers, teachers and parents
- Increased community involvement and broadened world view
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
Avoiding risky behaviors is critical to the well being and therefore the success of youth.
Students who are dealing with issues of drug use, violence, pregnancy out of the classroom have a difficult time succeeding in the classroom. Results from evaluations of programs that address prevention of risky behaviors show positive outcomes such as:
- Avoidance of drug and alcohol use
- Decreased delinquency and violent behavior
- Increased skills for coping with peer pressure
Evaluators use a broad array of performance measures to assess scholastic achievement outcomes including homework completion, grades and standardized test scores. Academic outcomes that are linked to after school programs include:
- Better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations
- Better performance in school as measured by achievement test scores and grades
- Higher school attendance
- Less disciplinary action
When students feel connected, supported and safe, they are more likely to make healthy choices for themselves, including avoiding risky behaviors and staying in school. Sun Country’s FUNrichment Program provides children and youth not only with academic support, but a safe, nurturing environment that can help bolster social and emotional development, critical to academic success.
Further, FUNrichment Program offers students vital enrichment activities that they might not otherwise have access to, such as art, music, culture and sports that can motivate and engage them during the regular school day, leading to improved academic performance and success.
For more information on the FUNrichment Program at Sun Country Sports Center, feel free to ring us at 352.331.8773 or visit us at SunCountrySports.com!
