After school programs needed as rural family structure changes

By Katelyn A. Larson,
UNL Extension Educator
4-H Youth Development

As the school year gets going once again, the list of activities seems to grow longer and longer. Research has showed that while today's youth is busier than ever, with sports, clubs and after school programs, these activities actually benefit rural youth. When the term after school program comes to mind, many of us think about inner-city schools in Omaha or in Lincoln. That is not the only place after school programs can make an impact.

The need for after school activities (other than sports and the other traditional clubs) has grown as the family structure of rural America changes. Many rural parents today are not at home after school as they once were because they have to supplement their income with off the farm/ranch work.

A recent study completed by Montana State University looked at the relationships between the changes in youth behavior and competencies over the course of a school year (as reported by teachers) and their involvement in after-school programming in a rural area. It was revealed through this research that teacher and parents alike saw significant decreases in behavioral problems over time and significant gains in competencies over time. More specifically youth showed decreases in acting out, shyness/ anxiety and learning problems. Teachers reported gains in frustration tolerance, assertiveness and task orientation in youth.

It was revealed that girls exhibited the least behavior problems and more competencies than their male counterparts. Comments from teachers further reveled that youth exhibited politeness in their interactions with adults and peers, a willingness to engage in life skills activities (computer training, positive decision-making, and communication exercises) over the course of the after school year.

While the focus of after school programming has been in the schools for many years, some families are beginning to look to 4-H as the provider of that programming. 4-H has offered the same positive youth development for the past 107 years and although it has been a provider of programming

year-round, many people associate 4-H with summer and the county fair. In recent years however, with 4-H's focus on Science, Engineering and

Technology, Healthy Lifestyles and Citizenship, schools have begun to realize what a resource 4-H could be for those programs and many others.

I hope to work more with the schools of Butler County this coming year!