University of Wisconsin - Extension

The school day ends at mid afternoon, but most parents don't return home from work until several hours later. As a result, about 15 million children are home alone on any given afternoon, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and Urban Institute.

To respond to this issue, 4-H is working to improve the quality and availability of afterschool programs.

"4-H can help afterschool staff make any activity both experiential and educational," said Kathi Vos, 4-H Youth Development Specialist working with the afterschool program. "In Wisconsin we have developed seven teaching kits in aerospace, electricity, theatre arts, visual arts, [plants, natural sciences, and clothing. These lesson plans focus on a specific life skill and link to Wisconsin educational standards. Most importantly, they are fun, and have been tried and tested with youth."

The goal of 4-H Afterschool is to provide safe places where children can have fun while they "learn-by-doing" after the school day ends. 4-H Youth Development educators from the University of Wisconsin-Extension help communities around Wisconsin assess the need for afterschool programs and work with schools, churches and other youth organizations to start them.

Currently plans are underway for 4-H Afterschool programs in 11 Wisconsin counties. These are Douglas, Sawyer, Iron, Florence, Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Dane.

4-H professionals teach afterschool staff how to provide the most beneficial afterschool program environment and how to use the principles of positive youth development. 4-H Afterschool also supplies hands-on learning activities. 4-H clubs in afterschool programs are popular because young people learn how to be good leaders and citizens, think critically, make decisions and apply the knowledge they learn in school. JCPenney has provided funding for development of 4-H Afterschool programs in 15 states including Wisconsin.

National 4-H Afterschool director Dr. Eddie Locklear offers some tips for parents when choosing an afterschool program.

1. Check out how staff relate to the children, each other and you. Are they friendly? Are they warm? Do they welcome kids? Do they say they enjoy their jobs?

2. Know the qualifications of the staff. How much education do they have? Do they have youth development training? Are they certified in afterschool care?

3. Study the children's activities. The best programs combine academic, recreation and youth development.

4. Observe how the program is administered. Are schedules and calendars posted? Are there check-in and check-out and other safety procedures? What kinds of snacks are served? An organized program has a solid plan with objectives.

5. Examine the physical environment. Is it inviting? Does it have soft spaces where children rest when they are tired? Are there activity centers, pictures on the wall and places where kids keep their belongings?

More information about afterschool programs is available at www.4hafterschool.org .