Be Kind After School™ Programs: Character Development Beyond the Classroom
Be Kind After School™ Programs
After school programs play a crucial role in the holistic development of students, offering a structured and supportive environment beyond regular school hours. The Be Kind People Project® stands out as a leading provider of youth development programming, catering to students regardless of their learning setting — be it in school, outdoors, or remotely. We emphasize the importance of character education and personal growth through our unique and evidence-based afterschool programs, all of which are grounded in the principles of The Be Kind Pledge™.
The Be Kind People Project offers a diverse array of programs that seamlessly integrate character education with health and wellness, fitness, academics, arts, and project-based learning. These programs are designed to foster essential life skills and values in students, preparing them for future challenges. One of the standout features of these programs is THE BE KIND CREW®, a dynamic team that uses dance and a high-energy, interactive approach to engage with students. Through our performances and afterschool programming, THE BE KIND CREW® inspires students to develop a personal code of conduct based on the principles of The Be Kind Pledge™, encouraging them to embody kindness, respect, and responsibility in their daily lives.
After School Programs Offered by The Be Kind People Project®:
Respect My Groove™:
Learn to dance with instruction by the professional dancers on THE BE KIND CREW®. Respect My Groove™ includes kid-friendly and age-specific lessons, music and the latest dance techniques combined with great exercise focused on respect and consideration for all skill levels.
Create with Character:
With a focus on The Be Kind Pledge™, this class offers movement-based activities, projects, and games designed to teach interpersonal skills, self confidence, and creative expression.
#CyberSkills™ Digital Arts:
This creative digital arts class focuses on composition components, music-making, and storytelling. Students will be able to draw a connection to how these design elements can translate to creating authentic online content and make a positive impact in today’s digital world. This course is also focused on cyber citizenship.
BE KIND on the MOVE:
The BE KIND on the MOVE provides on-site education, youth development, and fun! Bring The BE KIND on the MOVE™ to your school for outdoor assemblies, classroom field trips, dance classes, field days, outdoor fitness activities, community service events family engagement, and more.
More than Character Development
In addition to character education, after school programs like those that we offer provide numerous benefits to students. These programs offer a safe and supportive environment where students can explore their interests, develop new skills, and build positive relationships with peers and mentors. Research has shown that participation in after school programs is associated with improved academic performance, enhanced social skills, and better overall well-being (Afterschool Alliance, 2020). For instance, a study by the Harvard Family Research Project found that students who participated in high-quality after school programs showed significant gains in standardized test scores and exhibited better school attendance and behavior (Little, Wimer, & Weiss, 2008).
Moreover, after school programs play a critical role in supporting working families by providing a reliable and structured environment for children during afterschool hours. This can alleviate stress for parents and guardians, knowing that their children are engaged in productive and enriching activities. According to the Afterschool Alliance, parents of children in afterschool programs report feeling more secure in their jobs, as they do not have to worry about their children’s safety or supervision during the critical hours after school (Afterschool Alliance, 2020).
Respect My Groove™:
Our most popular after school program is the Respect My Groove™ Hip Hop Classes. THE BE KIND CREW® is known for their engaging, high-energy performances alongside teaching students about The Be Kind Pledge. The Respect My Groove™ Classes give students the opportunity to learn about Hip Hop dance and culture, which can be applied to one of our favorite pledge skills, Be Respectful. It teaches students how to appreciate and accept differences in style and interests.
In each session, students will be introduced to all of the elements of Hip Hop: breaking, MCing, DJing, and graffiti, as well as other styles of dance including popping and locking. THE BE KIND CREW® members lead the students in discussions about the importance of each element and how the pledge aligns with this component and our everyday interactions. This is followed by a warm-up to teach the students about creating healthy and long-lasting habits of preparing for physical movement, making sure to incorporate language from The Healthy Habit Checklist, the foundation for The BE FIT, BE HEALTHLY. BE KIND.™ Assembly. Now, the students are ready to get moving! From the basics to the more advanced freezes that breaking is known for, THE BE KIND CREW® teaches the students tips and tricks when it comes to dancing and performing on stage. Finally, it always ends with a cypher, a gathering of the participants in a circle to freestyle. This encourages the students to move however they want and incorporate the steps they have learned. It also provides the students with the opportunity to support, encourage, and practice respect towards their classmates.
