AS Components
An Activity specific to Ragsdale After School programming that promotes skill development & introduction to new skill opportunities!
Skill of the Month
Youth Development Professionals LEAD. In this context, L stands for what?
Learners - we are consistently growing and learning as a team and with our children. We are open to new ideas and creative-minded approaches. We are ready to grow and watch our participants and selves grow.
Successful Supervision is the key to safety. Through this supervision, Leaders must maintain 2 lines. What 2 lines maintain proper supervision?
Line of Sight, Line of Sound
Leadership does not just take 1 Leader. In the 2 Leader model, YD Leaders must provide a united front and balance of leadership. Name 2 ways teams of leaders can provide this.
- Preparing activities, games & programming together for the week. Creating a "game plan"
-Taking turns facilitating activities. There is no such thing as a lead and a support team member.
- Both leaders communicate expectations and hold youth accountable.
- Both leaders support each other.
- Showing and using initiative. Do things that need to be done. Every job is everyone's job!
Groups - Create appropriate group sizes for each activity / game. Be strategic in group creations to avoid distractions, behaviors and to promote peer bonds.
During this activity period, it is essential for Youth Development Leaders to promote productivity and provide accountability by moving around the room, assisting and supporting as needed and staying engaged in the youth success.
Homework Time
Youth Development Professionals LEAD. In this context, E stands for what?
Engaged - We are engaged with our youth and fellow YD Leaders throughout the day. We are focused, driven and prepared for each and every day.
Safety often times relies on the YD Leaders ability to provide preventative action. When supervising, there are 2 styles of supervision, 1 that is necessary and required and 1 that is submissive and unacceptable.
Proactive Supervision and Reactive Supervision
Building strong relationships with youth is an essential part of Strong Leadership. Name 2 tips you are planning to use from the "10 tips for building strong relationships with youth" Turnkey PD article.
- Meet and Greet daily by Name
- Talk with youth at their level
- Ask open-ended questions and listen
- Encourage youth
- Reflect during conversations
- Watch for communication roadblocks
- Remember context and details
- Participate alongside youth
- Support opportunities for youth input, shared responsibility, and leadership
- Smile, have fun and show youth that you enjoy what you do!
The G.E.M.S of Facilitation provide a framework to ensure a successful activity experience. In this framework, what does E stand for?
Engagement - Engaging participants throughout the activity (1 step at a time) ensures success.
SEL is an essential part of the Positive Youth Development Experience and overall growth and development of youth. SEL stands for ...
Social-Emotional Learning
Youth Development Professionals LEAD. In this context, A stands for what?
Accepting - We are open to everyone and accepting of all. We are striving to make our COMMUNITY more inclusive and welcoming each day. Our efforts are learned and adopted by the youth we serve.
Group Management is developed through Action. Name 2 methods to maintaining group management successfully.
1. Use Attention Getters
2. Incorporate hallway games, transition challenges and waiting activities into your day.
3. Keep them engaged through conversation.
4. Always have a back-pocket plan. Don't get caught doing nothing.
5. Always have a "game plan" for each day. Be ready to move to the next activity quickly.
6. Set clear huddle expectations.
7. Hold your huddle accountable to these expectation.
Promoting Peer Bonds creates an environment of support, empathy, friendship and provides a sense of belonging. Name 2 ways you can intentionally incorporate peer bond activities into your day!
Personal Preference Answers
The G.E.M.S of Facilitation provide a framework to ensure a successful activity experience. In this framework, what does M stand for?
Management - manage your facilitation by providing steps, setting expectations and managing the outcomes you desire.
Group Games that promote participation.
Virtual Fitness.
Outdoor play & games that promote participation.
Swimming.
Youth Development Professionals LEAD. In this context, D stands for what?
Safety also includes our surroundings and keeping ourselves and youth healthy. In what ways (name 2) do we do this in After School?
Washing hands at each restroom break.
Sanitizing tables & shared program areas between huddles and use.
Cleaning and Sanitizing home bases daily.
Using hand sanitizers before meals/snacks.
Encouraging youth to drink lots of water.
Washing hands after returning from outside play.
Being a Role Model of health and a steward of healthy habits.
Johnathan Owens spoke to us about his experience with youth. He left us with a special message we should carry on with us as we approach youth and their strong personalities and behavior challenges.
The way he see's it, there aren't good kids, bad kids or weird kids. Every kid that comes through his program has a story and it is our jobs as YD Professionals to learn that story so we know how to better respond with what these kids need. (We may be the only person in their life doing this)
The G.E.M.S of Facilitation provide a framework to ensure a successful activity experience. In this framework, what does S stand for?
Set up and Clean Up - what are your strategies to ensure set up and clean up are completed successfully?
Being an extension of the school day and the learning experience is an important part of After School. Name 2 ways in which our program provides this extension.
STEAM/ STEM
Homework Assistance
Arts & Creative Construction Activities
Skill of the Month
SEL & Character Development
Youth Development Professionals must have the skill of balancing on the Tight Rope. The tight rope lies between what two essential elements?
Strong Leadership & Discipline
Positive Relationship
The Pool is one of the most dangerous program areas for our After School youth. Youth Development Leaders hold a tremendous responsibility to safety during swim time. How do they successfully do this?
Supervise swimmers from the edge of the pool.
Moving around the pool deck frequently.
Monitoring behaviors and actions of swimmers.
Monitoring swim bands and swim sections.
Providing engaging options for non-swimmers.
Maintaining head counts more often than you feel necessary.
Ensuring pool rules and expectations are communicated.
Celebrating the achievements (BIG and small) of our youth is an essential part of their experience and what they bring to their experience daily. Name 1 Daily, 1 Weekly and 1 Monthly way that we provide this focus on achievement.
Daily - Ask me about stickers, Behavior management system (punch cards), verbal praise, positive adult conversations.
Weekly - Kudos, HW Smarties, Blop Pop behavior award, Character Bands
Monthly - Kid of the Month awards, Character Awards
Planning ahead for the week is an essential measurement of how smooth your week will go. Name 4 things you may add into your itinerary each week that will help fill the gaps and maintain consistent engagement, meeting the high expectations of the After School program.
Peer Bonds Activities, Group Games, Team building activities, Skill of the Month, SEL Discussions and additions, Arts and Crafts, Theme/Holiday based special activities, Additional curriculum, Question of the Day, Table topic of the day, ETC.