Although children left at home without adult supervision may function very well, studies have shown potential problems with self-care and latchkey children. This study investigated the attitudes of 30 employed parents in New York whose first or third grade children were regularly left home alone after school. The 20-question survey covered such…

With over half of mothers of school-age children in the labor force, there is a growing need for after-school child care. This paper describes an after-school program in a small Kansas elementary school. Of a total school enrollment of 270 students, 120 are enrolled in the after-school program. Activities include story telling, crafts, computers,…

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of an after-school child care program on the academic and social development of children in grades one through five. The project had three objectives: (1) to measure and compare the academic achievement of the students before and after their enrollment in the program; (2) to evaluate the social…

This guidebook begins with a definition of the term "latchkey," which is followed with guidelines for Alaskans interested in starting a program for latchkey children. Discussion focuses on: (1) surveying parents; (2) determining costs; (3) planning space; (4) developing a culturally sensitive curriculum that is responsive to the special…

An evaluation was made of the PhoneFriend program at State College, Pennsylvania--an after-school phone-in service designed as a "friend-in-need" outreach service for children 5 through 13 years of age. The evaluation specifically investigated the extent to which PhoneFriend provided information and support to children at home alone after school…

Over the past two decades, an increasing number of American children are left in self-care after school each day. Parents of these latchkey children often turn to the library as a safe place for their children to go. The purpose of this study was to determine whether public libraries have responded since 1990 to the call put forward by concerned…

Currently at least 5 million children--some estimates are as high as 15 million--are left unsupervised before or after school for 3 or more hours a day. In response to the problems of these latchkey children, many public schools are now developing some form of school-based or school-related before- and after-school child care programs. The purpose…

This report summarizes key findings from a 2001 nationwide poll regarding support and need for after-school programs. Participating in the poll were 800 adults over age 18 who are registered to vote. The findings included the following: (1) 94 percent of respondents agreed that there is a need for some type of organized activity or place where…

Discusses ways that school media specialists can address the needs of latchkey children and at-risk students. A total of 21 resources providing background information and suggestions for dealing with the issues involved are listed. (MES)

Describes three Oregon school-community programs that improve student attitude and behavior: community-service learning projects for previously disruptive students, after-school programs that provide exciting group activities for students who maintain decent grades and stay out of trouble, and adult mentoring and group activities for high-risk…

Recognizes that after-school programs for latchkey children offer an opportunity for music education by extending students' musical experiences. Explains that after school programs can include thematic units, independent time for exploring performance skills, field trips, group performances, or mini-concerts with live musicians. (CMK)

We examined effects of self-care after school hours and psychosocial factors on cigarette smoking and alcohol use among adolescents in China. Survey data were obtained from 4734 7th and 11th grade students from seven cities across China. Students were queried about the frequency and quantity of unsupervised self-care after school in an average…

This digest discusses ways in which public libraries deal with latchkey children who spend their after-school hours at public libraries while their parents are at work. Research conducted in 1990 of 110 public libraries revealed that almost all libraries encountered unattended children after school hours, and that most libraries surveyed were not…

It has been observed that one historical role of the public library is serving the nation's youth. Current economic and social conditions have created the phenomenon of the "latchkey child"--the school-aged child who has no parent or guardian at home after school hours and has no alternative care arrangement. In light of this, this…

To review and study the needs of latchkey children in Illinois, the services and programming available for such children, and the financial alternatives for such programs, a committee was formed consisting of 11 persons, 10 of whom were school board members from throughout the state. Additionally, the committee was directed to develop…