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Course 23: Providing Homework Support |
2.00 |
The National Standard Objectives of Learning (SOL) have raised questions about the role of school-age programs in providing homework help and support. Research indicates there are many different ways to provide effective homework support in school-age programs. Some are more structured than others. When planning a homework support program, it is important for school-age programs to develop a homework philosophy that is consistent with the program’s overall philosophy and reflects current research on best practices for providing homework help. The homework philosophy should also reflect the needs of parents and children in the program and strike a balance between homework needs and other experiences that help children grow and learn out-of-school. When staff know how to design homework environments, identify appropriate homework materials, and use effective strategies to guide children’s efforts, homework support can be an effective component of ongoing programs. |
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Course 15: Designing Effective Indoor School-Age Play and Learning Environments |
2.00 |
Planning effective environments is the first step to planning an effective program. When environments are attractive, interesting, and comfortable, they provide a backdrop for a varied program that can address the developmental needs of school-age children. The look and feel of well-planned environments send messages that let children know they are welcome and valued. They are inviting and encourage children to get involved and stay engaged with program activities and experiences |
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Developing Effective Outdoor Environments and Interest Areas (Collection) |
2.00 |
School-age children need daily opportunities to exercise, relax, and participate in a wide range of outdoor activities. The hours children spend in after school programs are often the best hours of the day for getting fresh air and enjoying the out of doors while it is still daylight. School-age programs can provide safe, secure settings where children can enjoy the out of doors. Even if outdoor space is limited, regular participation in a wide variety of physical activities in the open air can help children develop healthy exercise habits that will last a lifetime. |
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Course 18: Exploring Effective Schedules, Diverse Activity Formats, Planning Tools, and Staff Roles |
2.00 |
Flexible schedules make it possible to provide a varied program of activities that support the developmental needs and interests of school-age children. By establishing a flexible schedule, school-age staff can plan and implement a variety of different activity formats. To develop a balanced program, it is important for school-age staff to take a systematic approach to both short-term and long-range planning. Staff can use a variety of different planning tools to plan different types of activities. To implement a diverse program of activities, it is essential for school-age staff to recognize and use a wide variety of different roles as they interact with children throughout the program day.
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Course 09: School-Age Care as a Family Service - Part One |
2.00 |
Strong, positive, cooperative relationships with parents and families are at the heart of quality school-age programs. Unfortunately, positive relationships with parents and families are not always easy to achieve because parents, like children, have widely varying personalities; some are easier to reach than others. Parents in school-age programs have different ideas, values, concerns, knowledge, pressures, lifestyles, plans, dreams, resources, and constraints. Staff who are successful in building positive relationships begin by recognizing the importance of accepting parents as the most important people in children’s lives, regardless of differences among them. They understand that staff attitudes toward parents can have a strong effect on whether or not staff can establish positive relationships with parents. Staff in quality programs make a commitment to learning as much as possible about parents’ needs, interests, wants, and concerns and develop effective strategies for making positive connections with parents. |
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Guiding School-Age Children in Groups (Collection) |
2.00 |
When large numbers of children are involved in the program, it is challenging to create and deliver school-age program activities that can meet the needs of all children. The key to success is taking a systematic approach to program planning. It is important for staff to understand how to select appropriate activity options and use effective management strategies that make it possible to offer a balanced variety of simultaneous activity options. This understanding will help staff plan and implement a program that effectively supports, nurtures, and guides individual differences and fosters positive interaction among children in groups. |
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Course 03: Exploring Developmental Needs and Characteristics of Different Age Groups |
2.00 |
Certain developmental needs and traits are associated with younger school-age children, while others are typical of older school-age children and youth. While the differences between school-age children of different ages are not clear-cut, there are some general traits and tasks that are often associated with younger (ages 5 – 7), middle (ages 8 – 10), and older (ages 11 – 12) school-age children and youth. Understanding these differences helps staff plan appropriate activities and guidance strategies for children of different ages. |
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Course 26: Human Relations Skill Development: Focus on Leadership Styles and Conflict Management |
2.00 |
Research indicates that those in positions of leadership use a variety of different leadership and management styles. A person’s effectiveness as a leader is often directly linked to his or her leadership style. It is important for OST professionals to be aware of the assumptions and characteristics of different leadership styles. Knowledge of different leadership styles can help OST professionals reflect on their own leadership style and assess its effectiveness. It can also help OST professionals take a proactive approach to applying different leadership styles and techniques, depending on the situation.
Leaders also use a variety of different styles when it comes to managing and resolving conflicts. By understanding how to diagnose the causes and dynamics of conflict and understanding the characteristics of different conflict management styles, OST professionals can choose the best conflict management strategy for each situation.
There are a number of skills that enhance the ability of OST professionals to employ different leadership and conflict management styles effectively. When OST professionals are aware of these skills and their own skill levels, they can set priorities for ongoing development of leadership skills. |
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Course 27: Exploring Ethics in School-Age Care: Focus on a Professional Code of Ethics |
2.00 |
According to Frank Loewenberg and Ralph Dolgoff, developing a code of ethics is a significant stage for any profession. “For most American occupational groups the development of a code of ethics coincided, more or less, with the decision to formalize the transformation of the occupation into a profession.” The transformation to a profession allows those working in the profession continuity and heightened sense of purpose. It allows those outside of the profession to realize the integrity and importance of the profession.
When OST/SAC professionals develop, adopt, and adhere to a Code of Ethics, they are guided by underlying principles that represent the values of the OST field. These underlying principles help them determine appropriate courses of action when they face ethical issues as they work with children, parents, colleagues, and community members. |
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Course 08: Human Relations Skill Development |
2.00 |
Being able to communicate effectively is an essential human relations skill for school-age care professionals. To be a good communicator, school-age professionals need to understand the components of communication and how the communication process works. They need to identify barriers to clear communication and develop strategies for minimizing or eliminating barriers to communication. School-age care professionals also need to work cooperatively with other team members to solve problems and conflicts. This requires an understanding of how teams work and the characteristics of effective teams. Assessing the current status of personal human relations skills helps each professional identify priorities for making improvements to these skills. |
