Do you know what your child is doing when the school bell rings at the end of the day?
More than 14 million students leave school every afternoon and have nowhere to go. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC), nine out of ten Americans think all youth should have access to after-school programs, but two-thirds of parents say they have trouble finding programs locally. The bad news is that the situation may be getting worse.
After-school hours are the peak time for juvenile crimes and risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug use. NYVPRC found that children who do not spend any time in after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to use drugs and 37 percent more likely to become a teen parent. Kids also are at risk of becoming a victim of violence in the hours immediately after school. In fact, the highest amount of juvenile crime occurs between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. just after most children are dismissed from school.
Research shows that after-school programs improve the social, emotional, academic and vocational competencies of school age children. Children who attend after-school programs experience a significant reduction in negative behaviors, such as participation in violence and crime, and abusing substances such as drugs and alcohol. These same students also are less likely to be truant, are more engaged with school and display better classroom behavior. For their part, parents who enroll their children in after-school programs are rewarded with a safer after school environment for their children and the accompanying peace of mind.
So why start an After School Board Game program?
Offering an after-school board game program is a time-tested and successful approach to enticing students to enroll in after-school programs and retaining those same students for the long-term. Studies by such companies as Sharp as A Tack, an Illinois State Board Educational provider suggest that after school board games programs develop, enhance and strengthen cognitive abilities such as thinking skills, attention and focus skills, process and sensory integration skills as well as memory and life skills. In this manner, students and children experience not only the safety offered by after school care but also learn many skills that will aid them in school and in life.
For example, an after-school program with Board Game Play offers children the opportunity not only play and socialize in a safe environment but also engages them in developing different skill sets with the diverse kinds of games they can play. Games that require focus and attention skill development will extend auditory and visual attention, ability to multi task and the ability to shift focus from one task to another quickly and efficiently. Thinking skill games enhance logic, reasoning, problem solving and strategic thinking. Students also improve their auditory and visual skills while playing board games.
Board game play with friends or family also offers life skills. Learning to communicate, cooperate and be patient are all important to game play. These skills are life lessons. The development of memory skills and expand spatial orientation have been evident as well.
The great thing about an after school program is that your children and students are gaining these significant benefits in an environment that is fun, friendly, nurturing and safe. Your children will be engaged and excited at being a part of the experience, while also widening their interests. They will be introduced to new, interesting, and sometimes challenging board games. Mastering a new skill increases a child's self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce your child to new career options. It keeps your children entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents kids from becoming addicted to TVs and PCs.
Encourage your school to start an after-school Board Game Program. You can contact such companies as Sharp as A Tack as a provider or they can help develop the program for you. Their website is www.sharp-as-a-tack.com. The long term benefits of this kind of program will be well worth the effort to establish in your school. You can start by asking families to send down their games to the school.
About Griddly Games
Griddly Games creates award-winning party and board games that deliver innovative, engaging fun that brings people together while encouraging social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (the entire grid of people) can enjoy. To discover more about Griddly Games, visit www.griddlygames.com.
