As parents and educators look for ways to enrich children’s after-school hours, cognitive programs can be a valuable and impactful option.
These programs focus on processes involving memory, problem-solving, attention, and critical thinking, and can be transformative in a child’s development.
Here are some of the key advantages of cognitive programs as after-school activities.:
Improved Cognitive Functioning
One of the most direct benefits of programs like Arrowsmith is the improvement in brain function. Proven to improve academic and cognitive measures, and enhance critical thinking, executive function, and underlying functions related to learning, these programs lead to enduring and transferrable benefits to school life.
Through dynamic cognitive exercises designed from neuroscientific principles, children strengthen the neural pathways known to be essential in learning. Research has shown that progress in these customized exercises change key networks in the brain, leading to gains in cognitive processes like critical thinking and adaptive thinking.
Boosted Academic Performance
After-school cognitive programs can provide the extra boost many children need to succeed academically. When a child is struggling to meet expectations at school, it is often due to underperforming cognitive functions. Processes like visual memory, processing speed, and non-verbal thinking – are typically at the core of the struggle. A cognitive assessment can identify the specific cognitive functioning impacting academic learning – and can customize a cognitive program that exactly meets the unique needs of your child.
The impact of participation? Improved capacity in key cognitive networks, which translates into an improved capacity to learn. Particularly with children who are falling behind, an after-school cognitive program can strengthen their cognitive profile to participate more actively in school. A stronger brain learns faster, more easily, and more independently. Improved memory, grasp of concepts, and critical thinking can be applied in any classroom and all academic subjects.
Enhanced Social and Emotional Skills
Cognitive programs can also have a significant impact on a child’s social and emotional development. There are programs related to communication, social interaction, reflection and understanding others’ points of view. With gains in these processes, children grow more capable of developing stronger social bonds, cooperation with peers, and independence.
Fostering a Lifelong Love of Learning
Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of cognitive after-school programs is that it builds children’s persistence and resilience. These are profoundly important qualities in life and are integrated into each element of Arrowsmith participation. Children develop a growth mindset, and trained staff are on hand to coach, guide, and celebrate student success. Even within virtual online Arrowsmith experiences, staff and students make powerful connections to each other, with a shared goal of building cognitive, academic, social-emotional, and lifelong strengths.
Conclusion
Incorporating Arrowsmith into after-school activities is a powerful way to support a child’s overall development. From boosting cognitive function and academic performance to enhancing emotional resilience and social capacities, the benefits are far-reaching.
Given your child the opportunity to develop the tools to think critically, solve problems, engage with the world around them, and build skills they need for future success—both inside and outside the classroom.
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