I. D. E. A. S - Integrated Developmental Enhancement Activities: Tools for Creating Successful after-School Experiences for Older School-Age Children and Youth

By Roberta L. Newman

Finding ways to get older school-age children and youth productively and happily involved in after-school programs is no small challenge. Children and youth over the age of nine have growing needs for independence and responsibility; it can seem difficult to respond effectively to these needs in a group setting. Older children often seem preoccupied with social interactions with friends and may give the impression they aren't very interested in being around adults. Even though it can be challenging for staff to build positive relationships with older school-age children and youth, it can be done. By looking closely at the characteristics and needs of older school-age children and youth, it is possible to design programs that spark their interests and keep them enthusiastically engaged.During the late 1980?s, researchers at the Center for Early Adolescence at the University of North Carolina identified seven developmental needs that should be considered in order to plan and implement successful activities for youth. These needs often begin to emerge around age nine, when youth enter a rapid and often uneven period of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. The seven developmental needs of early adolescence are essentially extensions of the developmental needs and characteristics of younger school-age years, with new needs emerging in each area of development as youth continue to grow, change, and mature. Brief introductions to each of these seven developmental needs appear on the next few pages. Sample Activities for meeting these needs in after-school programs and Activity Management Tips for implementing sample activities are paired with each need.When program experiences and activities are directly linked to any one of the developmental needs, youth are much more likely to show and sustain interest in participating. However, this is just the beginning. The Center for Early Adolescence found that children and youth are even more likely to be drawn in when multiple developmental needs can be met in one activity or set of activities. With this in mind, this planning guide provides a planning model, tools, and strategies for building on and connecting each of the seven developmental needs through program activities. The planning model makes it possible for staff to work with youth to connect the needs and weave them into an ongoing integrated, balanced program of experiences that includes the whole person. The planning model and related tools appear in Part Two: Seven Program Experience Modules and Part Three: Planning Tools and Worksheets.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974970301
• ISBN13: 9780974970301
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Newroads Media
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.