Beyond the regular school day, afterschool support programs allow children to learn, grow, and thrive in ways that complement and enrich their classroom experiences.
However, creating an impactful program goes beyond compiling a list of activities. To make the most of these afterschool routines, schools need a thoughtful and intentional afterschool program curriculum – one that builds structure, fosters student engagement, and aligns with developmentally appropriate goals.
Afterschool help can blend academics, enrichment, and physical activities in schools to create a low-pressure learning environment that supports the whole child. In this article, we’ll explore the essential components of a high-quality afterschool program curriculum and show you how to incorporate learning, movement, and fun into your afterschool support program.
An effective afterschool program curriculum considers developmental needs, family priorities, and unique educational opportunities.
While a consistent daily schedule is important, a curriculum goes further. It’s not just when students do things – it’s what they do and why.
A strong afterschool support program is built around the desired goals for your students. What experiences and skill practice do you want your students to have during your program?
Your program should include academic review, enrichment opportunities, social-emotional supports, and age-appropriate activities that extend and enhance the school day.
What types of goals should administrators be considering for their afterschool support programs? To get an idea, the most impactful programs are designed to:
By aligning with these goals, your program can be a valuable source of afterschool help for both students and their families.
Afterschool curriculum content must be tailored for the developmental range of K-5 learners. What’s engaging and appropriate for a kindergartner will look very different from what motivates a fifth grader.
These activities should meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally. They should be relevant and meaningful to students, while matching their attention spans and interests across age groups.
Consistent afterschool routines ensure that students have a smooth experience. Predictable transitions between activities, such as snack time, homework help, and physical activities in schools, create a sense of security and order.
When afterschool routines are clearly established, staff can focus on delivering curriculum content, and students can better engage with the material.
Now that you know of some basics to consider while designing your afterschool support program, let’s look at some more specific components to your curriculum content. A strong afterschool program curriculum supports academic growth, social-emotional development, and physical well-being.
Reviewing school-day learning and foundational skills is often the number one priority for afterschool programming. This is where direct, structured afterschool help happens.
Curriculum ideas include:
Math & Movement’s materials and activities are a perfect fit here. Our floor mats allow students to engage in kinesthetic learning activities. For example, students can jump on our Count to 10 mat to visualize and solve addition problems. Or, young readers can create words on our Spell-A-Word Hop and step out each letter.
These tools provide an energetic and engaging way to reinforce academics, especially after a full day of sitting in class.
Enrichment activities are where curiosity flourishes. A good afterschool support program includes time for exploring interests, being creative, and having fun. Offering students the chance to try new things and grow new skills outside of the standard curriculum helps them stay engaged.
Ideas include:
Physical activities in schools are essential for student health, mood regulation, and learning readiness. Well-rounded afterschool routines should include regular, structured movement to release energy and develop motor skills, coordination, and teamwork skills.
Activity ideas include:
Kinesthetic learning activities provide a solution for both more academic practice and physical activities in schools. Math & Movement provides a practical, standards-aligned way to keep students moving and learning.
As a part of afterschool help, educators can select a mat and an activity that covers the concept they want to work on with students. Then, students get on their feet and move around the mat while they learn and review.
Built for Busy School Schedules
Identify your school’s grade levels and instructional priorities—we’ll recommend the kits and materials that best support your academic goals.
Our materials come with free, ready-to-use activities—making it easy for teachers to add movement to lessons with minimal prep.
Most activities require little to no prep. Just roll out the mat and start teaching with movement.
Use activities as warm-ups, classroom lessons, or interventions. Also add to family engagement events, summer learning, and afterschool programs.
Our U.S.-based support team is dedicated to helping your school succeed with movement-based learning. Easily plan virtual or in-person PDs for your staff.
Afterschool support programs are a great time to nurture social-emotional growth, Incorporating moments for students to reflect, communicate, and collaborate. Students can develop soft skills that support both academic success and positive peer relationships.
SEL strategies for after school program curriculums include:
Math & Movement supports SEL goals through group-based, movement-rich activities. As students work together during activities (by taking turns, solving problems, encouraging one another, chanting together), they naturally practice SEL competencies like self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
Movement-based games that require teamwork can turn potential frustration into learning opportunities. This helps students build resilience in a playful, supportive setting.
When you’re designing and implementing your afterschool program curriculum, keep the following strategies in mind. This will ensure that your afterschool help meets the needs of your students and school community.
Afterschool support programs should reflect what students are learning during regular school hours. Program leaders should regularly connect with classroom teachers to identify areas where students may need extra review or afterschool help.
This alignment ensures consistent expectations and messaging. For example, if students are learning multiplication in class, their afterschool program curriculum could include movement-based activities on Skip Counting Mats to reinforce those same skills.
Unlike the regular school day, afterschool support programs are often voluntary, meaning that if students aren’t engaged, they might not return. Programs that are fun, flexible, and student-centered will build trust with families.
A well-designed curriculum should feel exciting, hands-on, and meaningful. Movement-based activities, games, student choice, and opportunities for creative expression all help keep participation high. Your program can establish an afterschool routine that students truly look forward to.
A K-5 afterschool program serves students at a wide range of developmental and academic levels. Differentiating your afterschool program curriculum ensures that all students feel included and challenged in appropriate ways.
To adapt activities effectively, try:
Math & Movement activities are inherently adaptable. The same mat can be used in multiple ways, which makes it easy to accommodate different skill levels within one activity.
Maximizing your existing resources is key to making your curriculum sustainable. Take stock of your materials, physical spaces (indoor and outdoor), and community connections. You might:
Math & Movement mats are a great addition to your resources because they’re portable, easy-to-use, and durable. Plus, they require little to no setup. Simply unroll the mat in your space and start an activity. With just a mat, you can turn any space into a vibrant afterschool learning zone.
A high-quality afterschool program curriculum brings together four essential components: academic reinforcement, engaging enrichment, structured physical activities in schools, and social-emotional learning. With thoughtful planning, school leaders can develop a program that delivers substantial afterschool help and fosters an enthusiasm for learning.
With the right tools, like those found in Math & Movement’s After School Kits, your program can meet all of your school’s goals. These ready-to-use resources infuse learning with joyful movement.
Our After School Kits are a collection of kinesthetic learning materials curated specifically for afterschool math learning. Choose between three tiered kits, designed to meet various program sizes, budgets, and learning objectives. Discover how movement-based learning can transform your program.
A strong afterschool program curriculum for K–5 students should include academic support, engaging enrichment activities, structured physical movement, and social-emotional learning to support the whole child.
Effective afterschool routines include a consistent structure with snack time, homework help, enrichment, physical activities, and calm-down time to help students transition from the school day to home.
Physical activities in schools during afterschool programs allow children to release energy after spending a majority of the day sitting in a classroom learning. Structured movement helps students develop motor skills, coordination, and teamwork skills with peers. Plus, exercise supports physical and mental health!
Afterschool help often takes place in a low-pressure environment, and gamifying learning can make academics more enjoyable. Try offering hands-on activities, peer learning opportunities, educational technology, and movement-based activities like the ones from Math & Movement to make learning active and fun.
Differentiate instruction by offering tiered activities, grouping students strategically, and using flexible resources like Math & Movement mats that can be tailored to various skill levels and learning styles.
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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