7 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe in After School Programs
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7 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe in After School Programs

After school programs are an important part of the educational process for kids. They allow children to learn new skills, make friends, and try new things. After school programs can be a great opportunity to keep kids safe, but they can also be a place where kids are exposed to danger. If you want your after school program to be successful, you need to address safety issues early on and keep them in mind throughout the year. This applies to you parents as well! Let’s talk about how to keep kids safe in their after-school activities!

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Why are after-school activities important?

First, a quick overview on why after school programs are so important. After-school programs are important for several reasons.  First, they provide a way for students to stay engaged and active after the school day has ended.

After-school activities can also help students relieve stress and improve their academic performance. Participating in after-school activities can help students develop time-management and leadership skills. These activities can help students build important skills and relationships. Finally, after-school activities can help students learn how to manage their time and set priorities.

However, the safety of students is important in after-school activities because students are often unsupervised during these activities. This can lead to students being injured or engaging in risky behavior. By ensuring that the activity is safe, students can participate without worry and focus on having fun and learning.

 

7 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe in After School Programs

When your kids are in after school programs, you want to ensure that they are safe. To make sure that they're doing well and having fun, follow these tips:

1. Self-awareness 

Most children are very self-aware and know when something doesn't feel right. It's important to encourage this self-awareness and help them to understand how to keep themselves safe in after-school programs. After school programs can be full of new and exciting things for kids, but it is important for them to be aware of their surroundings and who they are with at all times.

If kids are not aware of their surroundings, they could easily become a victim of someone who is looking to take advantage of them. By teaching kids to be self-aware, we can help them stay safe and make the most out of there after school experiences.

2. Be a positive role model

As a positive role model, you can help to keep kids safe in after-school programs. You can set a good example for them to follow, and you can help them to learn how to stay safe. Teach them about stranger danger and how to stay safe when they are home alone. Keep a watchful eye on them during activities and make sure they know to tell you if something makes them feel uncomfortable. Help them to become independent and responsible by teaching them how to care for themselves and their belongings. Most importantly, be a good listener and be there for them when they need to talk.

3. Designate a Safe Place

If kids feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it will make it hard for them to learn. Make sure that your after-school program has a safe space where kids feel comfortable and can focus on their task at hand. This sometimes means no video games or TVs in the classroom, and only allowing age-appropriate activities (like board games and arts & crafts).

4. Obey the Rules 

One of the best ways to keep children safe is to teach them to obey the rules. If children know that they are expected to obey rules, they will be less likely to engage in risky behavior. After-school programs should have clear rules that are communicated to the children. The rules should be enforced consistently. When children see that the rules are taken seriously, they will be more likely to follow them. Obeying rules is not only important for keeping children safe in after-school activities; it is also important for helping them to develop self-discipline. These programs can provide a structure that children may not have at home.

5. Help Others 

Did you know that teaching kid to help others can also help keep them safe? Here are some ways to teach kids to help others: 

  • Talk to them about why helping others is important. 
  • Encourage them to be kind and help others whenever they can. 
  • Help them understand that by helping others, they are also helping themselves. 
  • Guide them how to help if they see someone being bullied or hurt. 
  • Encourage them to speak up if they see something wrong happening.
6. Look Before Crossing

After school activities are a great place for kids to socialize and learn new skills, but it's important to teach them how to stay safe. It is an important safety tip to look both ways before crossing the street. This will help them avoid accidents and stay safe while walking to and from after school activities.

7. Wear the Right Clothes

After school programs take place outside of school hours. When children are enrolled in after-school programs, their safety is of the utmost importance. One way to help keep kids safe is by having them wear the proper clothing. Clothes that are too big or too small can be a trip hazard, and clothing with drawstrings can get caught on playground equipment. Wearing the right clothes can help prevent injuries and keep kids safe while they're having fun.

 

Final Thoughts on Ways to Keep Kids Safe in After School Programs

After school programs are essential for a child’s development but make sure your child should is in a safe environment. With after school programs, there should be clear boundaries. In regards to safety, there should be parental permission to sign your child off. This is to make sure that your child is not going into an unknown situation. If there are plans, there should be a chaperone there. Follow these 7 tips and let us know if you have any more!

Before You Go…

Make sure you check out our explore page to find after school activities in your area, such as the ones mentioned below!