For the past 22 years, Lights On Afterschool has been a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. This year, the celebration is on October 20, 2022 and we will be marking the occasion with a few fun activities for the students we serve.
#LightbulbChallenge
Every year, the Afterschool Alliance team challenges friends of afterschool programs across the country to take a photo of themselves mimicking the Lights On Afterschool logo and posting it on social media with the hashtags #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool. Then, participants challenge their followers to do the same! Our sites will strike a pose for the camera to illuminate the importance of afterschool!
STEM Activities
STEM learning opportunities are becoming a major priority in families across the nation. A recent study by America After 3 PM highlights that 73% of parents with children in afterschool programs report that their child has access to STEM learning in their program, but there are still barriers that affect the equity and availability of these programs to young people. STEM provides opportunities for critical thinking and innovation, teamwork, and developing project management skills.
Afterschool programs are a natural space to provide engaging, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning, and at AYS – we make it FUN! We participate in activities similar to the ones found in these Little Bins, Little Hands and Teach Junkie articles.
Social, Emotional, and Physical Health
The well-being of our youth is top of mind today. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 59% of parents are more worried about their child’s well-being today than they were prior to the pandemic. However, they recognize that afterschool programs provide the holistic support that children need today. Before and after school programs, along with summer learning programs have an important role in supporting both physical and mental health. At AYS, we provide programming that teaches kids healthful habits that will help them become well-rounded adults.
Some of our planned time includes activities we find in articles such as 30 Activities for Social Emotional Growth for Elementary School Kids and 5 Fun Fitness Ideas for After School.
The AYS mission is to create an accessible, reliable, and enriching community where every child and family can thrive beyond the school day. Lights On Afterschool celebrates the importance of having out-of-school time options available so that our youth can grow up with the skills they need to become successful, contributing individuals to society in the future. Please consider donating to our Ellen Clippinger Financial Assistance Fund to help support a family need today.
