Module 19:  Involving School-Age Children in Activity Planning and Implementation

Collecting advance information about children’s needs and interests from parents.  Using informal observations and conversations to engage children in program planning.  Designing and conducting child surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.  Using suggestion boxes effectively.  Creating additional innovative approaches to soliciting input from children.  Establishing Leadership Clubs.  Involving children in shaping and changing the program environment.  Designing and conducting child satisfaction surveys.

Module 20: Developing Activities That Encourager Creativity and Cognitive Development

Using knowledge of school-age development to encourage creativity.  Motivating children to be creative.  Using long-term projects and independent activities to foster creativity.  Working with children to plan creative activities.  Using effective strategies for guiding the creative process.  Using open-ended questions and related techniques to promote creativity and thinking skills.  Providing creative experiences through the arts – visual arts, drama, music and movement.  Exploring the use of reasoning, thinking skills in learning and creativity.  Exploring strategies for designing an environment that encourages children to think and solve problems.  Helping children use the scientific method to solve problems and further learning.

Module 21:  Creating Successful Clubs in OST Programs

Exploring the purpose and importance of clubs – how clubs meet the developmental needs of school-age children.  Identifying the components of effective clubs – what makes a club a club – and what makes clubs different from long-term projects.  Using community resources to launch, support, and enhance clubs.  Creating clubhouses – even in shared space.  “Growing” clubs in program interest areas.  Identifying resources for club development and operation.  Working with children to plan and implement clubs.

Module 22:  Developing Activities That Support Character Development and Promote Social Interaction

Exploring the links between activities and development of a positive sense of self.  Developing activities that provide children with opportunities to reflect on who they are becoming.  Developing activities that offer school-age children opportunities to:  build “character muscles,” identify character traits they want to develop, choose the “best” course of action, set and achieve personal goals, develop an appreciation of individual and cultural differences, accept responsibility for actions, develop resourcefulness and reliability as they move towards independence.  Exploring resources and strategies for creating social contracts and promoting a diverse, democratic OST environment.

Module 23:  Providing Homework Support

Exploring different perspectives on homework – parents, children, staff, and school personnel.

Exploring characteristics of OST environments that help children engage in homework activities.  Identifying strategies for planning and implementing a homework support program.  Identifying appropriate materials and resources for homework support programs.    

Module 24:  Helping Children with ADD Succeed in OST Programs

Exploring the potential mismatch between OST environments and the capabilities of children with ADD.  Exploring individual differences among children with ADD.  Identifying strategies and techniques for adapting OST environments and experiences to accommodate children with ADD.  Exploring strategies for helping children with ADD manage their behavior in informal, OST programs.