Know

Two of the most basic and at the same time significant questions school-age staff members need to consider are: “What skills are typical for school-age children and youth?” and “What is appropriate for each individual child and their family that I serve?” Spend a few moments thinking about how you would respond to each of these two questions.

You may have indicated that the first question refers to having a knowledge base of typical skills so that you can begin to make decisions about what types of developmentally appropriate experiences and activities to provide. The second question addresses how to meet the needs of individual children and their families who come to your program with a range of skills, abilities, and interests.

Meaningful Experiences for School-Age Children and Families

Children attending school-age programs should have a variety of experiences that are developmentally appropriate, intellectually stimulating, engaging, and fun. High-quality school-age programs involve children in daily experiences and interactions with both adults and peers, while providing opportunities for children to engage in individual work. As a school-age staff member, the activities you plan should promote exploration and learning in multiple areas such as Language and Literacy, Art and Technology, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Talking with and listening to the children, youth, and families in your care will alert you to their individual interests and culture. You can then use this knowledge to guide you as you plan experiences and activities.

These experiences should build upon the interests, culture, and backgrounds of the school-age children in your program. Families should be invited to share information, knowledge, and skills with you in their child’s program. It is important that you plan meaningful learning experiences for all school-age children and youth in your care. You will notice a range of skills and abilities. Some children may need special adaptations or modifications to the activities you plan. You may have children in your group with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that help them meet personal goals. You should read the IEP and learn about possible accommodations or modifications you may need to make to best support the child. Flexibility is essential. You should refer to your Service-specific policies for guidance when making adaptations and modifications. Your program's T&CSs and Program Managers will support you in promoting high-quality developmentally appropriate practices for all school-age children in your care.

When defining developmentally appropriate practices, the National Afterschool Association (NAA, 2011) highlights the following:

• Model a positive and respectful attitude when working with children and youth
• Align daily practices with the program's philosophy, policies, and procedures
• Incorporate cultural diversity into the daily program

What are Indicators of Effective Curriculum?

Your goal is to implement experiences and activities that are carefully planned, engaging, developmentally appropriate, challenging, and culturally and linguistically responsive. You should aim for growth and positive outcomes for all school-age children and youth in your care. The National Afterschool Association (NAA 2011) has identified the following indicators of effective curriculum:

• Engage children in activities that meet individual needs, interests, development, and skill levels.
• Design and develop effective activities based on current research and curriculum.
• Provide an engaging, physically and emotionally safe, and inclusive environment to encourage play, exploration, and learning across developmental domains.
• Design and develop an environment that offers choices.
• Plan and implement learning opportunities that include goals and objectives.
• Incorporate activities that promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development into all curricular areas.

What are Indicators of Effective Assessment?

Gathering information about the development of school-age children and youth in your care helps you make informed decisions about their growth and helps you identify needs or concerns that may require further support. Your goal is to implement assessment practices that are respectful of each child’s unique strengths and needs, developmentally appropriate and encompass all areas of development, include communications with families, and are culturally sensitive. Furthermore, your assessment practices are based on a thorough knowledge of child development, they help children see themselves as capable and competent learners, and they respect and acknowledge children’s and families’ varied cultural experiences. The assessment practices you implement play an essential role as you manage your classroom. You will use assessment information to support growth and positive outcomes for all school-age children in your care. In doing that, familiarize yourself with the following indicators of effective observation and assessment practices as stated by the National Afterschool Association (NAA 2011):

• Identify children and youth as individuals and acknowledge that individuals develop at their own pace.
• Recognize that observation and assessment are ongoing processes.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding observation and assessment information.
• Select and use observation results in planning and implementing learning activities.
• Plan relevant and culturally appropriate assessments.
• Develop a plan that utilizes assessment information to improve the curriculum and modify learning experiences.
• Implement formal and informal assessment tools for individual and group learning.

You can collaborate with your T&CSs and Program Managers to ensure that assessment practices are developmentally appropriate for the school-age children in your care. Your program leadership will ensure that you have the necessary resources (e.g., program or playground supplies, materials, equipment) and supports (e.g., observational feedback on your practices, additional resources) to promote these experiences and offer school-age children and their families high-quality care and education.

Considering Your Own Professional Development

In order to be knowledgeable about quality practices in school-age programs, you must stay informed on research and developments in the field. Joining a professional organization (e.g., the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC), the National Afterschool Association (NAA), or the Division for Early Childhood (DEC)) is an excellent way to receive timely information about what is new in the field. Websites that contain evidence-based information can be bookmarked or you can participate in an online workshop. Attending local or state conferences is another way to learn about evidence-based practices and keep current on new information.

Your T&CS can be a great resource and mentor in your professional development. They can answer questions or address concerns you may have, conduct focused observations of your work with school-age children, give you constructive feedback, assist you with identifying further or specific training, help you access resources like trainings, books, articles, or videos, and support your overall professional growth. You may also consider looking for a mentor, book group, or groups on social media where you can share ideas and news about school-age programs. You will be a better staff member and advocate for school-age children and families in your care when you attend to your own professional development.

See

Do

In your daily work as a school-age staff member, engage in the following practices with children, families, and colleagues:

• Get to know the children and families in your care. Plan for bias-free experiences, materials, and assessment. This includes treating each child and family member with respect, and acknowledging and honoring individual differences in abilities, gender, cultural backgrounds and experiences, family income, and family composition.
• Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate choices and experiences for school-age children in your care.
• Have developmentally appropriate expectations about children’s behaviors.
• Ensure activities and experiences are designed and developed based on current research and curriculum (e.g., plan activities in the following areas: character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness & recreation; and technology).
• Plan collaboratively with colleagues and your T&CS and make sure you offer opportunities for each school-age child to achieve individual goals. During this process, make sure to invite families’ input.
• Act in a responsible, reliable, and dependable manner. Be at work on time, be prepared, and communicate clearly with children, families, colleagues and supervisors.
• Support practices that are ethical, responsible, and developmentally appropriate and speak out when they are not. Familiarize yourself with your program’s or Service’s regulations, standards, and expectations for high-quality practices. Remember to always look to your T&CS for guidance on difficult situations.
• Develop and cultivate a collaborative spirit and work with colleagues. Ask a more experienced school-age staff member questions about his or her practice or offer ideas to a colleague who may be newer than you and may need assistance.