How to Design Afterschool Programs
Afterschool programs are designed to keep young students occupied in the afternoon. Most are organized and run by elementary schools, but some are funded by nonprofit groups. Despite who funds them, those who supervise afterschool programs must design a program to fit the needs of the children who attend.
- Identify the age group of the children who will be attending the afterschool program. Most school districts offer afterschool programs for all children from the first grade through high school. It is important to design a program with the audience in mind.
- Determine what your goals are for the program and its participants. The goals, which will heavily depend on the social status and age of the students, could range anywhere from improving the confidence of the participants to providing them with a safe place to gather after school.
- Assign staff members to the project. These people will most likely be teachers and other volunteers from the community who will help watch the children and oversee the program's various projects.
- Create a set of regulations and rules that you wish the program to follow. These should include how you want the drop-off and pick-up of the children to be handled, illness policies, attendance procedures and what you expect from participating students.
- Determine what activities will be offered by the afterschool program. The activities you choose should reflect the children's ages and can include subjects such as music, art, story time, physical fitness and drama.
- Make up a detailed schedule of events. You don't have to follow your schedule completely, but it can serve as a guide until you get the hang of things.