What Can Principals Do About the Summer Learning Gap?
July 21, 2025
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Did you know that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to significant improvements in standardized test scores, work habits, and behavioral problems – especially for disadvantaged students?
Afterschool programs can be vital extensions of the school day, offering much more than simple childcare. Research consistently shows that these structured school enrichment initiatives have a profound impact on academic achievement, foster social and emotional growth, and provide crucial afterschool help for working families.
For principals and administrators, investing in engaging afterschool programs for elementary students is a great way to support your school community. From targeted homework help to exciting extracurricular activities, afterschool curriculums can transform students’ learning experience. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can design or elevate your afterschool programs to best benefit your students and families.
What sets the best afterschool programs for elementary students apart from the others? It comes down to several key components that actively engage children in learning, rather than just providing supervision for them.
Active learning strategies should be a priority for any school enrichment program. That said, afterschool programs can include more hands-on learning experiences than the regular school day allows. Unlike passive instruction, where students simply absorb information, active learning invites them to think critically, discuss ideas, investigate problems, and create solutions.
One form of active learning is kinesthetic learning activities. For instance, students can experience math and literacy concepts by moving on Math & Movement floor mats. This approach engages more than just the mind as students are up out of their seats using their bodies as a manipulative to find solutions to problems.
Related Reading: New Way to Teach Math – Movement Works Best!
Choice is a powerful motivator. When students have a say in what and how they learn, they’re more likely to feel enthusiastic and engaged.
Of course, offering student choice and voice doesn’t mean running an unorganized free-for-all. It’s about striking a balance: providing options within a clear, structured framework. This approach empowers young learners while ensuring your school enrichment programs stay aligned with academic goals and behavioral expectations.
Supportive relationships are essential for successful afterschool help initiatives. Strong bonds between staff, students, and their peers build a sense of belonging and unity. When children feel known, valued, and respected, they’re more likely to attend regularly and participate actively.
Research shows a link between students’ sense of belonging at school and their academic, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes. As you design or refine your program, prioritize hiring and training staff who can foster positive connections, serve as role models, and cultivate an environment where every student feels important.
Both physical and emotional safety are paramount for effective school enrichment. When students worry about being bullied, excluded, or underestimated, their engagement plummets. Conversely, in a nurturing climate where clear norms and expectations are consistently upheld, students flourish.
Effective afterschool programs ensure proper supervision, maintain secure facilities, and promote inclusivity while engaging learners in valuable experiences. Staff should model and reinforce positive behaviors, creating a space characterized by respect and support. In this environment, children feel free to take intellectual risks, explore new interests, and build confidence—all essential components for success in school and life.
Research-backed frameworks can help administrators plan afterschool programs for elementary students.
The Connected Learning framework is built on the idea that students thrive when their education encompasses three key spheres:
By integrating these elements into a program, learning will feel personally meaningful and socially connected for students, ultimately supporting deeper academic engagement.
Connecting students’ personal interests with peer communities and academic objectives creates enthusiasm that carries back into the classroom. This kind of school enrichment also fosters intrinsic motivation, making students more likely to persevere through challenges.
Another proven approach is the SAFE framework, which outlines four essential features of high-quality programs that build social-emotional skills and academic readiness:
Research indicates that SAFE-aligned afterschool programs lead to improvements in social-emotional skills, self-perception, attitudes towards school, behavioral problems, and academic performance, especially when started early.
Embracing this structured and engaging approach ensures your extracurricular activities support essential life skills, promote academic gains, and provide holistic afterschool help.
Here’s how you can structure and sustain engaging afterschool programs for elementary students that deliver measurable benefits.
A well-organized program strikes a balance between flexibility and predictability. While afterschool hours should feel distinct from the traditional classroom, students still need a structured learning space that offers security and purpose.
According to Vanderbilt’s IRIS Center, consistent routines are correlated to stronger behavior and academic outcomes, and the same holds true outside regular school hours.
A typical daily flow might look like this:
Don’t forget to dedicate time each week for staff to plan the afterschool schedule. This intentional method, with a pace and focus different from the typical school day, helps maintain engagement and allows children to explore new interests in a supportive environment.
Obviously, maintaining adequate supervision is the first step in your engaging afterschool program. While state and local guidelines vary (and must always be followed), lower student-to-staff ratios ensure that each child gets the individual attention they need. The National Association for the Education of Young Children, for example, recommends ratios as low as 1:10 for younger children in group settings.
High-quality extracurricular activities depend on well-prepared staff who can nurture relationships, guide learning, and keep students safe. At a minimum, your team should meet local requirements for background checks and have the academic skills to assist with homework.
Beyond that, look for people with experience in child development, youth programming, or enrichment activities. Train the staff to have the same expectations and a clear understanding of how the program will run.
Math & Movement offers both in-person and virtual trainings for program staff to learn how to deliver content in interactive, kinesthetic ways. This investment pays off in improved student outcomes, enhanced program reputation, and increased family trust.
Have a comprehensive safety plan to protect everyone in the school after usual hours and to build parent confidence. Prioritize:
Effective communication can be a strategic function that fosters trust and keeps families engaged. Use a blend of:
Share key program details, but also spotlight positive moments and individual progress. Establish a feedback loop, inviting parents to share their perspectives, so your afterschool programs continue to evolve in ways that best serve their children. Proactive communication turns families into school partners.
Strong partnerships amplify what your afterschool programs can offer. By collaborating with community-based organizations, libraries, museums, local colleges, and businesses, you can:
Principals are uniquely positioned to initiate and maintain these relationships, ensuring that your school enrichment efforts are robust and embedded in the broader community.
While considering these best practices, you can work on designing your afterschool curriculum and activities.
Thoughtfully designed afterschool programs spark curiosity, support growth, and make learning fun.
What do you want students to gain? Maybe it’s stronger academic skills, improved confidence, or more meaningful peer connections. Once your goals are set, choose activities that directly support them.
But just as importantly, center your planning around your students. Gather their input, learn what excites them, and design opportunities that tap into their interests while exposing them to new ideas. Offering a variety of experiences —hands-on, project-based, collaborative, and exploratory —ensures that every student stays engaged.
Differentiate activities to accommodate abilities and learning styles. A mix of reinforcement and creative exploration helps students deepen understanding across multiple modalities, making your school enrichment truly effective.
A strong afterschool program curriculum balances core academic support with diverse extracurricular activities. Here are some key areas to consider.
STEM activities are a fantastic way to build problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Your program might include:
Partnering with local science centers or universities can add expert support and resources. And don’t forget the power of kinesthetic learning — Math & Movement products can be a valuable asset for making STEM learning more active, particularly for math concepts, ensuring a deeper understanding and enjoyment of these subjects.
Discover how Math & Movement’s kits can supplement your curriculum and turn math class into an active, full-body learning experience. Engage students in all grade levels and boost math proficiency through movement-based activities.
Artistic expression nurtures creativity, self-esteem, and cultural awareness. Offer students chances to dive into:
These activities not only enrich learning but also give students diverse ways to communicate and connect.
On average, elementary school students sit for 8.5 hours each day. At age 8, children’s activity levels drop even further and continue to decline throughout adolescence.
It is essential for children to have a healthy way to expend their energy and meet motor-skill development benchmarks. Alarmingly, only 20–28% of kids ages 6 to 17 meet the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines of 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Afterschool programs are the perfect opportunity to incorporate physical extracurricular activities, like dance, yoga, kickball, or free play in the gym or on the playground.
Adding Math & Movement to your afterschool program for elementary students can also increase physical activity time while focusing on academic goals. Try some active math movements to practice counting, or get students out of their seats and jumping on one of the floor mats in our After School Kits while they solve math problems.
Literacy is another core subject to integrate into your afterschool program. Try:
You can enhance literacy with movement, too! Math & Movement has a wide selection of kinesthetic learning products to actively practice foundational reading skills.
Get students on their feet while reading by adding Math & Movement to your ELA instruction. Watch students’ foundational literacy skills develop through movement-based activities that bring learning to life for every student.
Well-organized homework time gives students a calm, supportive environment to complete assignments and develop effective study habits. Set aside a designated space staffed by trained educators or tutors who can guide students and offer encouragement. Make sure resources like calculators, dictionaries, or laptops are available. This afterschool help builds skills that students can apply to the regular school day.
Considering social-emotional development takes your afterschool program to the next level. Embed SEL by:
By making SEL an intentional part of your curriculum, your afterschool programs will nurture resilient, empathetic learners who are ready to navigate both academic and life challenges.
These are just some of the curriculum areas you can consider for your afterschool program for elementary students. Ultimately, your extracurricular activities will depend on your school’s wants and needs.
As you consider the holistic development of your elementary students, the hours after the final bell present a powerful, often untapped, time for growth and engagement. Afterschool programs can ignite a genuine passion for learning while providing essential support. Downtime becomes an opportunity for enrichment and skill-building.
One of the most effective ways to increase comprehension and engagement in your afterschool program is to incorporate movement-based learning activities. Research consistently shows that kinesthetic approaches, such as those embedded in Math & Movement activities, deepen understanding, boost memory, and keep students engaged in a joyful and active way.
Want to head deeper into the research and results behind Math & Movement? Explore our Program Data page to see how schools across the US are transforming student achievement with our kinesthetic learning strategies.
Our After School Kits include a collection of kinesthetic learning materials designed to make lessons fun. Math & Movement’s materials are unique because they combine physical activity with academics. With these kits, learning after school becomes active and enjoyable, rather than boring and sedentary!
Ready to take your afterschool enrichment to the next level? Explore our After School Kits and discover resources that will enrich your students’ afternoons, support your staff, and showcase your school as a champion of innovative, whole-child education.
Afterschool programs are organized activities for students that take place after the usual school-day hours. They offer school enrichment activities, including active and experiential learning activities, arts and crafts, SEL activities, and physical play. Many students and parents rely on these programs for afterschool help with homework and childcare.
Consider the following aspects when designing and planning a new afterschool program:
Yes, afterschool programs are effective. Regular participation in afterschool programs is linked to significant improvements in standardized test scores, work habits, and behavioral problems, especially for disadvantaged students.
Math & Movement enhances afterschool programs for elementary students by bringing opportunities for physical activity and academic practice together. The easy-to-use floor mats in our After School Kits allow students to move their full bodies while exploring math and literacy concepts. Educators can find activities and games to go with each mat on our online activity database. Access is included with every purchase.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
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