"America after 3PM" began in 2004, precisely because of the absence of reliable data about such topics. That year, the Afterschool Alliance set out to fill the information gap, conducting what was at that point the most in-depth study on how children spend their time after school. The 2014 "America after 3PM" edition spans a…

Illustrates how one mother and her 10-year-old son worked out a latchkey arrangement for after school. (PCB)

Working parents must assess their own children's needs and explore the various child care options available. Tips for parent whose children stay home alone and alternatives to leaving children alone are offered. (DF)

Checklist to help parents determine whether self-care is appropriate for their children asks whether the child feels secure alone, completes chores, obeys rules, communicates well, lives in a safe area, has a nearby emergency contact, and can telephone a parent. Recommends that parents and children discuss self-care and alternatives. (SM)

This article discusses the phenomenon of "latchkey kids" with disabilities and the shortage of after-school care options for children with special needs. General factors for consideration in the complexity of child care needs are discussed by way of an introduction to the following four articles. (PB)

Due to working parents, unsafe home conditions, and mass-media pressures, schools are becoming increasingly involved with providing child care for school-age children. While afterschool care poses a number of design, funding, and equity problems, schools and communities can resolve them to the great benefit of the children served. (MLH)

Recognizing that children watch an average of 25 hours of television per week, this booklet is designed to help parents redirect their children's television viewing to higher quality programs. Ten "tips" are provided to help parents guide their children's television (TV) viewing: (1) set your child's TV schedule; (2) get involved (in the child's…

This article explores potential risks faced by children with disabilities who are left at home alone. The importance of assessing children's needs and skills for safely staying home alone is stressed and suggestions offered for concepts to teach children, alternate methods of supervision, and other practical concerns. (PB)

This guide for employed parents describes types of programs available to school-age children, criteria parents can use in selecting a program that meets their child's needs, and ways to find or develop neighborhood child care programs. Options for young children include day care centers, day care in schools, family day care, and care at home.…

Survival skills instruction for latchkey kids with special needs is discussed. Methods for cultivation of skills pertaining to physical well-being, accident prevention, emergency procedures, healthy lifestyles, and mental, social and emotional well-being are described. Sources of model programs and curriculum materials for self-care skills…

Two booklets, one in English and one in Spanish, offer information, suggestions, and guidelines for working parents of latchkey children. Parents are shown ways to: (1) seek alternatives to self-care for their children; (2) practice good parent-child communication; (3) find out about available support services; (4) teach responsibility and…

This series of single- and double-sheet articles is designed to help parents better understand the role of parents, the skills and constraints involved in parenting, the effects of parenting on child development, and the effects of child development on parenting. The series contains a set of articles which address general aspects of parenting,…

This article describes the characteristics of before- and after-school child care programs and deliniates the features needed to accommodate children with special needs. Potential ways to adapt current programs to fill this need and suggestions for design of future programs are discussed. Characteristics of effective programs are reviewed. (PB)