{"id":352,"date":"2016-11-07T14:12:16","date_gmt":"2016-11-07T14:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/?p=352"},"modified":"2016-11-10T16:33:09","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T16:33:09","slug":"enriching-your-after-school-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/07\/enriching-your-after-school-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"Enriching Your After-School Schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Enrichment classes are offered by schools, community recreation programs, churches, and even the local library. Enrichment offerings fall into many different categories: sports, STEM, and art are just a few. Enrichment is for everyone, too; there are classes around town geared towards toddlers on up to adults. These recreational activities have something in common. They teach many lessons that go beyond just the subject of the class. I learned this firsthand when I took an enrichment class in college.<\/p>\n

In my junior year, my advisor feared that I was working too hard. She suggested taking an enrichment course to break up my tough schedule. I recall laughing at her suggestion, but I soon found myself loving my lunchtime Tennis 1 course.<\/p>\n

I learned a lot more than how to hit a backhand in that course. In fact, it became one of my most important college courses. There are four reasons why Tennis 1 was so important to me. And I have since discovered, in my time working in a school setting, that these same four reasons describe the value of enrichment for learners of all ages.<\/p>\n

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  1. It taught me a skill:<\/strong> Tennis is a game that I can play for the rest of my life. Like learning to cook or to appreciate art, tennis is something that I\u2019ve never forgotten and continue to enjoy. Enrichment classes are designed to help students discover stimulating, social activities that will complement their natural inclination to learn. While enrichment classes are not always purposely designed to teach \u201clife skills\u201d like cooking or playing a sport, they provide your child with the opportunity to learn new things outside of the traditional classroom setting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. It gave me the opportunity to make new friends:<\/strong> I took Tennis with students who were neither in my classes nor my social circle, and I made new friends. Enrichment classes give children the opportunity to interact with children from different classrooms every day. Enrichment thus allows them to broaden their horizons not just through new activity, but also through new personal connections in their school communities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. It helped me to build character:<\/strong> Tennis reminded me to exercise good sportsmanship. I became more respectful of the athletic abilities of others and learned not to take a win or a loss too seriously. Enrichment programs bring children together on a level playing field, as many participants are trying out activities for the first time. Students come together to explore a new activity, often encouraging one another through the process. Enrichments allow students to simultaneously develop confidence in their own abilities and respect for others through group activity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. It led me to adopt healthy habits:<\/strong> In addition to being good exercise, my tennis course reminded me of the importance of taking time to do something fun for myself. I learned to invest more time and effort into my personal well-being and spent time building new relationships with my tennis classmates. Many of us feel overwhelmed by school, work, and family pressures, and we all seem to have never-ending \u2018to do\u2019 lists. However, we have to remember to make some time for fun and to focus on things that we are passionate about. This applies to both children and adults. Our mental health is as important as our physical well-being, and enrichment activities allow for uplifting experiences that provide that positive boost. This is one of the most important things that you will learn from enrolling your family members in enrichment classes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          LEAF Approach to Enrichments<\/strong><\/p>\n

          From November through February, The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy (MCA)<\/a> will offer eight different enrichment classes (seven for 3-6 year olds and one for elementary students) through LEAF Approach to<\/em> Enrichments<\/a>. LEAF\u2019s enrichment programs provide an array of areas for exploration, creative expression, and social connections after the students\u2019 formal school day is over. LEAF programs combine learning and fun under the guidance of experienced and enthusiastic instructors, many of whom are MCA staff members.<\/p>\n

          For the 2016-2017 Fall\/Winter session, LEAF is offering the following classes for 3-6 year olds*:<\/p>\n