Afterschool Activities

For this age group, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child come home to a parent, other adult or a responsible adolescent.

Particularly for younger children in the middle years, an after-school schedule is also useful, although every minute does not need to be planned. The routine should include a snack, exercise, relaxation, and study, in whatever order works best for your child. In general, after six to eight hours of school, children need time for active play, both to invigorate themselves so they are better able to complete the tasks before them and to help them stay fit. Watching television or playing computer games is not a good substitute for this active play.

Nonetheless, some youngsters try to complete as much of their homework as possible before dinner; TV watching and other pleasurable activities wait until later. Most children, however, go outside for some play and exercise after coming home, saving the homework until later, perhaps after sunset when playing outdoors is impractical.

Excerpted from "Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5-12" Bantam 1999

© Copyright 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics