Tag Archives: after-school programs

Coding Education

How Important Are After-School Programs?

Most parents know that after-school programs are more than an option for kids to have fun – they’re actually very important within a community. But how important are they? Some recent studies and anecdotal evidence from after-school programs across the country have shown that they’re actually more important than you may think.

Many kids have nowhere to go after school. For kids with two-parent families, it’s more common now that both parents work. It’s easy to see that elementary kids need after-school care but what do you do when your child is old enough to be on their own yet you don’t want them to just sit in front of the TV and veg out every day after school? That’s where after-school programs can come in.

Estimates show that about 11 million kids have nowhere to after school most days. Some areas have clubs like the Boys & Girls Club, and they can be a great choice for some – but not for everyone. Many kids view those types of clubs as nothing more than glorified babysitting. But what’s a better option? At CodeREV Kids we recommend more targeted after-school activities, like our after school membership program that’s a ton of fun for kids while also teaching them valuable skills.

Remember that studies have also shown that the vast majority of juvenile crime happens between 3 PM and 6 PM – the hours after kids are out of school and before their parents are likely home for the evening.

Consider another study that showed that kids who participated in after-school programs had a smaller math achievement gap between high- and low-income families and generally score higher on tests. 80% of parents who have a kid in an after-school program said that the programs allowed to keep them working.

Of course, these are all great reasons but they’re tied to after-school programs in general. At CodeREV Kids we want to emphasize not just that kids have something to do after school, but that it’s an activity that’s fun and ultimately useful. Not sure a coding class is right for them? Consider why coding is now being taught in many schools around the country. The job prospects are excellent for people who know how to code – and not just in computer fields. Coding is, and will continue to be, an asset in a wide variety of sectors.

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Kansas City Understands the Importance of After-School Programs

There are many reasons after-school programs are so important for kids: they keep them off the street, they teach them valuable skills, and they give kids a sense of belonging. Based on a recent article on Kansas City’s KCUR, it appears the mayor of that fine city understands how important they are.

In an article titled Mayor Sly James Stresses Importance Of After-School And Summer Programs For Kids, Lisa Rodriguez writes, “Kansas City Mayor Sly James joined city leaders and educators from Missouri and Kansas Saturday at the Kauffman Foundation for the Municipal Summit on Afterschool and Expanded Learning to discuss the importance of after-school and summer programs for students. James says once students are out of school for the summer, there’s not always a lot for them to do — which he says puts them at risk for participating in dangerous activities.

James said across Missouri and Kansas, only 14 percent of school-aged kids participate in after-school events. “What are the other 86 percent doing? I will guarantee you that not all of the 86 percent are engaged in helping ladies across the street or carrying groceries out of stores… some of them are engaged in some pretty risky behaviors,” James says. As he welcomed the room full of city mayors, council people and education advocates, James praised programs like Mayor’s Nights and Turn The Page that he says keep young people safe and provide them with positive role models.

He says research shows getting more young people involved could reduce crime and keep them safer. “When our kids are involved in our summer programming, juvenile crime and juvenile victimization is down 18 percent,” James says. Joining James in leading the summit was Leawood, Kansas Mayor Peggy Dunn, who echoed many of James’ sentiments. “Research shows that if there were more opportunities, the youth would engage, they would be part of those,” Dunn says. She said she hoped that by hearing initiatives from other cities, everyone could come away with several ideas for summer and after-school programming.

The Municipal Summit on Afterschool and Expanded Learning is part of a series of summits hosted by the National League of Cities. They aim to connect leaders across the region so they can develop partnerships and build collaborative after-school systems.”

CodeREV believes strongly in the importance of both after-school activities and summer camps, which is why we’ve revolutionized them. Get in touch with us to learn more about how your kids can get involved.