Afterschool Archives - Skillastics

Five ways to Boost Your Physical Activity Program Even with Limited Staff

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Sandy Slade

There are a multitude of reasons why an After School program may have staffing limitations. As cold weather approaches in the winter months, staff levels may be affected by illnesses,

Physical Activity vs. Movement: Consider Both For Your After School Program

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Words can ignite certain feelings in us. These feelings are usually connected to experiences we’ve had at some point in our lives. For instance, the word family may mean something

Quick Tips for Making Fitness Fun, Educational, and Meaningful in your Afterschool Program

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Sandy Slade

No matter what generation you identify with, if you watched TV while you were growing up, you probably had a pretty cool fitness icon to look up to. Whether it

Vision to Reality – 5 Tips To Transform Your Afterschool Program

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Sandy Slade

It’s no secret the American workforce has experienced some rocky turmoil over the past year. As if the pandemic weren’t enough, employers faced The Great Resignation and then “The Great

Seven Key Ingredients For Improving Student Motivation

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Some educators use the words motivation and engagement interchangeably, but they’re very different. Motivation, from the Latin word motivus–meaning moving–is the force or thing that prompts you to act where

Five Ways to Increase Student Movement and Engagement

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Kids today are drawn to entertainment. Brought up with iPads, tablets, smart phones and video games that switch from video to video after 30 seconds, it can be hard to

10 Reasons Why Kids Need Exercise in Their After School Program

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Exercise and fitness are crucial to the physical well-being of kids and adults alike. However, when a child does not have adequate physical activity incorporated into their daily routine, there

5 Tips for Creating Basketball Lesson that Kids Love

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Sandy Slade

It’s that time of year again! Gyms echo with the squeaks of sneakers as we kick off Basketball Season. During PE and after school this time of year, it’s all

Why After School Physical Activity Is a Must

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Months ago, the entire nation started making adjustments to everyday life to accommodate the newly arising challenges caused by the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this means that thousands of schools and after

Boys and Girls Clubs Across the Country Can Benefit From Skillastics

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Sandy Slade

Afterschool programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America are an integral part of keeping kids active. In an era where technology and screens and practically taking over, it’s

Organize, Motivate, Engage!

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Sandy Slade

Recently, NAA sat down with Sandy Slade, president of Skillastics, to talk about how the pandemic has affected how she serves her clients. No stranger to the afterschool market, you may

Reasons Movement Teaches Kids to Think and Learn Differently

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Can science really confirm that physical activity affects the way we learn? Absolutely. Studies have proven that physical movement helps kids improve their memory, increase their motivation, and improve motor

Technology and Interactive Media as Tools to Get Children Moving

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Sandy Slade

There’s no denying the pandemic changed the way we communicated, learned, and even exercised. Faced with the unique obstacle of continuing physical activity and movement while living and learning remotely,

Getting Your Students to Fall in Love with Physical Activity

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day celebrates love, and it doesn’t always have to be romantic. Love boils down to a passion for something (or someone!), and so we

Physical Activity and Sport-Skill Development Activities Afterschool Programs Provide

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Sports and activities are ever-evolving, taking on surprising forms over the recent years that help encourage kids to not only get and stay active, but to consider their whole body

Challenge Traditional Learning With Digital Specialty Programming

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Sandy Slade

If the past couple of years has taught us anything it’s how very critical flexibility in the educational setting is. Yes, we weathered the COVID storm together. Educators and school

How a Mid-Year Progress Report Enhances Your Efforts

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Congratulations on reaching the half-way mark of the school year! Not only is January a new year, but it’s mid-year through the academic calendar. This mile-marker is a good spot

How to Deal with Reluctant Students and Refusal to Participate

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Sandy Slade

Fear in children isn’t always expressed with wide-eyes and tears, particularly with older teens. In school, fear of failure at an activity or standing out in a bad way can