AEF Enrichment Program Helps Students During COVID

AEF is working carefully with Alameda Unified School District, school staff, program providers, volunteers, parents and students to keep our after school Enrichment program going this winter and spring. Our staff is working tirelessly because we know that enrichment programs can help reduce student stress, provide additional STEAM support, and will hopefully help keep students resilient and positive during this difficult time. Parents can be confident knowing their children will be in a safe environment after school. Meanwhile, students can discover more about who they are and what they love to do. They can continue to build on academic or life skills they are learning in the classroom, but in a more typically more ‘playful’ environment.

The time between the end of school and when parents come home from work can potentially be full of opportunities for students. It can be a time of learning and growth, when children can explore topics they are interested in, including science, architecture, art, dance, sports, math, chess, and much more. While in enrichment programs, students are able to dive into new interests, while further developing their communication, teamwork and leadership skills with different supportive adult mentors who are not teachers or parents.

While in after school enrichment classes, students have the support they may need to re-engage with school, recharge from stress and anxiety and rebound from the difficulties of the pandemic.

The AEF After School Enrichment Program helps students:

• Gain self-control and self-confidence doing activities they enjoy
• Re-engage with academics and improve work habits and grades along with problem-solving and critical thinking
• Develop strong social skills including teamwork and collaboration
• Build healthy relationship with schoolmates and adult mentors
• Reduce unsupervised risky behaviors
• Have a safe space where they can find a sense of belonging

In a 2020 study conducted by the Search Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota found that strong relationships between adults and youth have a positive impact on youth development. Young people in out-of-school time settings who reported strong developmental relationships had higher self-rated social and emotional competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills.

(Information for this article came in part from the Afterschool Alliance.)

For more information on AEF’s Enrichment Program click here.