As parents, we all want the best for our pre-teen kids, and that includes ensuring they have a balanced routine after school that promotes their learning and overall development. At DPS Warangal, the number 1 CBSE school in Warangal, we recognize the vital role parents play in their child’s growth. With this in mind, we have curated six valuable tips for DPS Warangal parents, or other parents to effectively keep their pre-teen kids engaged after school.
We understand that parents are like guides for their children’s growth because there’s no handbook on raising your child, correctly. Luckily, through years of watching generation after generation of kids leave school life, we have a list of suggestions which might help you manage your child’s growing years better. By following these tips, parents can make sure their kids are learning, having fun, and growing in a healthy way. The idea is to have a mix of activities that create a balance in their lives.
Create a structured schedule
Creating a structured schedule is paramount for engaging pre-teens after school. DPS Warangal advises parents to allocate specific time slots for activities such as homework, physical pursuits, hobbies, and relaxation. This balanced approach ensures that your child develops a sense of routine, time management skills, and involvement in diverse activities. We encourage parents to communicate with their child’s teacher to ensure that their homework load is manageable and can be completed within the allocated time. This is the main reason we have PTA meetings a lot more than most schools you may be familiar with.
Encourage physical activities
At DPS Warangal, we believe that moving around and playing outside can make a big difference in your child’s growth. When your child runs, jumps, or plays games, their body becomes stronger and healthier. They feel more energetic and less stressed. It’s critical from a developmental standpoint for their muscles and bones. But it’s not just about the body – it’s also about the brain.
Physical activities help your child concentrate better in school. It’s like charging up their brain batteries. They become better at solving puzzles and thinking creatively. You might wonder, what kind of activities are considered good? Anything that gets them moving is optimal! Riding a bike, kicking a ball, or even dancing around the house. It’s all about having fun while being active. While the school has a robust set of sports activities for kids to help them burn their energy, giving them an activity outside of school –even if it’s only on weekends –is necessary to help them develop a sense of what they like and what excites them.
At DPS Warangal, we encourage parents to cheer on their kids to try new things. It could be joining a sports team, playing tag with friends, or even skipping rope. When your child is active, they also learn teamwork, make friends, and become more confident.
Nurture creativity through art
Artistic pursuits such as drawing, painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument can help the pre-teen express their creativity. We encourage to nurture this aspect of the child’s development by encouraging them to take up a hobby or enroll in extracurricular classes. By doing this, not only keep them engaged but also enhance their cognitive and emotional development.
“Art is not what you see but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas
Artistic pursuits foster originality, imagination, and problem-solving skills. It allows children to express themselves freely and develop their unique style. Encouraging pre-teen to pursue artistic interests can unleash their true potential and help them develop a sense of self-esteem.
DPS Warangal,the best CBSE school Warangal for residential and day scholars both, believes in fostering creativity in children. We understand how important it is for children to express themselves and explore their passion. By encouraging artistic pursuits, we help our students develop a well-rounded personality and lead a fulfilling life.
Provide learning opportunities
After school is an excellent time to encourage pre-teen to learn and explore new interests. We recommend enrolling them in educational programs, such as language classes or STEM activities, to stimulate their curiosity and help them develop new skills.
Another way to provide learning opportunities is to encourage children to read books. Reading helps improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. They can also explore new subjects and interests together by visiting museums, attending workshops, or taking online courses.
Remember, providing avenues for learning not only enhances pre-teen’s knowledge but also keeps them engaged in productive activities.
Encourage social interaction
Social interaction is essential for pre-teen’s social and emotional development. Encourage them to spend time with friends, participate in group activities, or join clubs and organizations. This will not only keep them engaged but also help them develop essential social skills and build lasting relationships.
By organizing social events, inviting their friends over for a game night or a fun activity. This will give them an opportunity to interact with others in a safe and controlled environment.
That being said, ensure to monitor their social interactions and stay informed about their friends and activities. This will help to identify any potential problems or concerns and take appropriate action to address them.
Limit screen time
While screen time can be entertaining and informative, excessive use can have negative effects on pre-teen’s engagement in other activities and overall well-being. Parents need to set limits on screen time and encourage a balanced approach.
Allocate specific hours for using screens, and encourage them to spend time on other activities as well. This helps them develop a well-rounded routine that includes learning, creativity, and spending time with others.
Remember, too much screen time can make it harder for them to engage in other important activities and can affect their overall well-being. So, find a good balance that keeps them connected, entertained, and engaged in other meaningful activities too.
Be a role model and engage together
Parents play a critical role in keeping the pre-teen kids engaged after school. One of the best ways to do so is by being a role model ourselves and participating in activities together. By actively showing interest in a child’s hobbies and encouraging open communication, we can foster a stronger bond and motivate them to explore new avenues.
It’s important to remember that our actions speak louder than words. If we want kids to limit their screen time and engage in physical activities, we must set an example by doing the same ourselves. By participating in activities together, we can also create a more positive and supportive environment for pre-teens to thrive.
“The best way to teach children good habits is by practicing them ourselves.”
Engaging in activities together doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be something as simple as taking a walk after dinner or playing a board game on the weekends. The important thing is to show the children that we value time together with them and prioritize their happiness and well-being.
By following these six tips and actively engaging with our pre-teen kids after school, we can help them develop the skills and habits that will enable them to lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.
Keeping pre-teen kids engaged after school is crucial for their overall development. We can ensure that they have a productive routine that fosters learning, creativity, and a healthy balance between activities. By creating a structured schedule, encouraging physical activities, fostering creativity through artistic pursuits, providing learning opportunities, encouraging social interaction, and limiting screen time, parents can ensure that their pre-teens are engaged in a variety of activities after school.
At DPS Warangal, chosen among top 10 schools in the country for residential facilities, we understand the significance of parental involvement in a child’s growth. We encourage parents to implement these tips in their daily routines with their pre-teens to keep them engaged and foster a strong bond. By actively participating in activities together, showing interest in their hobbies, and encouraging open communication, parents can serve as role models for their pre-teens and motivate them to explore new avenues.