---
title: ExtendED Notes Articles (2)
description: Articles and insights with an emphasis on after school programs. (2)
---

# ExtendED Notes Blog

![heading pin image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/heading%20pin%20image.svg)

## Recent Articles & Insights

![How to Safely Reopen Your After School Program During COVID-19](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/een-4-800x400-01__800x400.jpg)

#### How to Safely Reopen Your After School Program During COVID-19

Reopening the doors to your program will take effort, flexibility, and collaboration with parents, school leaders, and other community partners.

[Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [Bullying and Safety ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/bullying-and-safety) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/how-to-safely-reopen-your-after-school-program-durig-covid-19>

![What’s Kitchen Table Kindness & 10 Ways You Can Practice It](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Extended%20Notes/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/Kitchen%20Table%20Kindness%20%26%2010%20Ways%20You%20Can%20Practice%20It%20blog%20image.webp)

#### What’s Kitchen Table Kindness & 10 Ways You Can Practice It

Teaching kitchen table kindness to students.

[Community Service ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/community-service) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-activities/whats-kitchen-table-kindness-10-ways-you-can-practice-it>

![COVID-19 | Q&A with Preparedness Expert](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_418139308-2__800x400.jpg)

#### COVID-19 | Q&A with Preparedness Expert

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, we know you have concerns, questions, and fears. You have our commitment that we stand with you.

[Social-Emotional Learning ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/social-emotional-learning) [Bullying and Safety ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/bullying-and-safety) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/covid-19-qa-with-preparedness-expert>

![3 Simple STEM Activities for Young Learners](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1161872146__800x400-1.jpg)

#### 3 Simple STEM Activities for Young Learners

Children can understand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts when they are less than a year old.

[STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) [Science ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/science) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-activities/3-simple-stem-activities-for-young-learners>

![5 Soft Skills That Every Future Entrepreneur Needs](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_490234888-2__800x400.jpg)

#### 5 Soft Skills That Every Future Entrepreneur Needs

Learn how today’s students aren’t always interested in landing the best jobs, but are instead creating them.

[Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [Social-Emotional Learning ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/social-emotional-learning) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/5-soft-skills-that-every-future-entrepreneur-needs>

![5 Resources to Improve PD Opportunities in Your Afterschool Program](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_763348483-2__800x400.jpg)

#### 5 Resources to Improve PD Opportunities in Your Afterschool Program

The quality of afterschool programming has improved significantly in the past few years.

[Program Development ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/program-development) [After School Advocacy ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/after-school-advocacy) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/5-resources-to-improve-pd-opportunities-in-your-afterschool-program>

![Why Critical Thinking is a Skill of the Future](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_293006000-2__800x400.jpg)

#### Why Critical Thinking is a Skill of the Future

Critical thinking remains an important skill for students to understand and learn.

[Teaching Strategies ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/teaching-strategies) [STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/why-critical-thinking-is-a-skill-of-the-future>

![Germ Science: How to Get Rid of Germs in Cold and Flu Season](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_763152805-2__800x400.jpg)

#### Germ Science: How to Get Rid of Germs in Cold and Flu Season

Germs can spread quickly in afterschool programs, so it's important to take steps to prevent the spread of illness.

[Featured ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/featured) [Teaching Strategies ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/teaching-strategies) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/germ-science-how-to-get-rid-of-germs-in-cold-and-flu-season>

![Creating a Social Contract to Foster Afterschool Social Responsibility](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_689879734-2__800x400.jpg)

#### Creating a Social Contract to Foster Afterschool Social Responsibility

Need a way to manage your afterschool program that even your students will enjoy? Try creating a social contract.

[Social-Emotional Learning ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/social-emotional-learning) [After School Advocacy ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/after-school-advocacy) 

<https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/creating-a-social-contract-to-foster-social-responsibility-in-afterschool>

![blog cta heading image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/blog%20cta%20heading%20image.svg)

### LOOKING FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?

[ Let's Play! ](https://www.extendednotes.com/after-school-activities)