Understanding Child and Adolescent Development

In order to provide an after school program that is developmentally appropriate, after school program staff need to understand the sequence of development of school age children and adolescents in the four areas or domains of development: Physical, Social, Emotional and Cognitive. Development experts agree that: (more…)

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Bullying Stops Here

Bullying is a big problem in schools today. 77% percent of students are bullied mentally, physically or verbally. 1 in 4 teachers see nothing wrong with bullying and will only intervene 4% of the time.

In The Bully Free Classroom, Allan Beane spells out more than 100 prevention and intervention strategies (more…)

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Helping Kids Thrive

In a recent webinar, Helping Kids Thrive is Job # 1, Tim Duffey of Bolster Collaborative Inc. (www.bolstercollaborative.com) explained that thinking about Positive Youth Development centers on building resilience and helping kids thrive. Thriving means building the good things in youth and enhancing the relationships needed for positive development. (more…)

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Attention All Leaders!

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You, 10th Edition by John Maxwell is one of the best selling leadership books of all time.  This newly expanded and updated version, takes Maxwell’s Law of Leadership to a new level with two new Laws of Leadership added and 17 new leadership stories.

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After School Programming: Think Clubs!

Clubs are a programming choice that can contribute a great deal to your after school program. After school clubs create opportunities for personal growth for children. They give children practice in making manageable longer-term commitments and create an opportunity for skill and attention span development. Such groups also provide children with an avenue to self-esteem: a means to excel at something they enjoy.

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Not just a warm body, or, why hiring quality staff matters

Afterschool and summer program directors are often in a pinch and settle for the first person that can fit scheduling needs that suddenly appear out of nowhere. But you don’t have to settle, let me say that again, you don’t have to settle. Hiring smart the first time will prevent headaches

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