Eddie Locklear4-H Afterschool Director

National 4-H Council

Quality Afterschool Programs

How Do You Know When You Have Them? A Youth Development Perspective!

ObjectivesObjectives

Participants will:Participants will:• Increase knowledge of youth Increase knowledge of youth

development conceptsdevelopment concepts• Increase knowledge of essential elements Increase knowledge of essential elements

of youth developmentof youth development• Learn strategies to achieve youth Learn strategies to achieve youth

development outcomesdevelopment outcomes

NSACA (NAA) StandardsNSACA (NAA) Standards

• Human RelationshipsHuman Relationships• Indoor EnvironmentsIndoor Environments• Outdoor EnvironmentsOutdoor Environments• ActivitiesActivities• Safety, Health, NutritionSafety, Health, Nutrition• AdministrationAdministration

SACERSSACERS CategoriesCategories

• Space and FurnishingsSpace and Furnishings• Health and SafetyHealth and Safety• ActivitiesActivities• InteractionsInteractions• Program StructureProgram Structure• Staff DevelopmentStaff Development• Special Needs Supplementary ItemsSpecial Needs Supplementary Items

Required Elements of Quality Child Required Elements of Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth School Programs for Older Youth and Teensand Teens

Experiences to PromotePhysical, Cognitive, Social, EmotionalDevelopment of Children/Youth andStrengthen Family Relationships

Educational Experiences to Promote Learning

Caregiving Experiencesthat:- Nurture- Guide- Protect- Meet Basic Needs

Quality Child Care, School-Age Care, and Out-of-School Programs for Older Youth and Teens

Care

Develo

pmen

t Education

Source: Cooperative Extension System Extension “Cares” for America’s Children and Youth Initiative March, 2001

What Is Youth Development?

The natural process of developing one’s capacities

Occurs through youth’s daily experiences with people, places, and environment

Too important to be left to chance

Positive Youth Development

An intentional process that promotes positive outcomes

Provides opportunities, relationships, and the support to fully participate

Youth development takes place in families, peer groups, schools, after-school programs, neighborhoods and communities

Important Changes In Young Peoples’ Lives

Biological and Physical

Cognitive

Psychosocial

Important Needs of Youth

Physiological Safety and Structure Belonging/Membership Closeness/Relationships Competency/Mastery Independence/Control of one’s life Self Worth/Contribution Capacity to enjoy life

Competencies Needed By Youth

Health/Physical

Personal/Social

Cognitive/Creative

Vocational/Citizenship

Developmental Statesin Different Domains

Children can be in different developmental stages in each

developmental area.

Source: Cooperative Extension System. Extension "CARES" for America's Children and Youth Initiative, August, 2002.

Developmental Stages ofChildren and Youth

Degree of Child Self-Regulation

Lower

Child's Age in Years

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Early Childhood

Middle Childhood

Early Adolescence

Late Adolescence

Early Adulthood

Higher

Infancy

Source: Cooperative Extension System Extension "CARES" for America's Children and Youth Initiative, August, 2002.

Contextual Influences on Youth

Family Peers After-School Program School Community Work Leisure

Essential Elements of Youth Essential Elements of Youth DevelopmentDevelopment

• A positive relationship with a caring adultA positive relationship with a caring adult• Safe physical and emotional environmentSafe physical and emotional environment• Opportunities to master skills and contentOpportunities to master skills and content• Opportunities to practice service to othersOpportunities to practice service to others

(continued) (continued) ⇨⇨

Source: Prepared and Engaged Youth; National 4-H Impact Assessment Project, 2001; USDA; CSREESSource: Prepared and Engaged Youth; National 4-H Impact Assessment Project, 2001; USDA; CSREES

Essential Elements of Youth Essential Elements of Youth DevelopmentDevelopment

• Opportunities for self-determination, decision-making and goal Opportunities for self-determination, decision-making and goal settingsetting

• Opportunities to be an active, engaged learnerOpportunities to be an active, engaged learner• A positive connection with the futureA positive connection with the future• An inclusive atmosphereAn inclusive atmosphere

Source: Prepared and Engaged Youth; National 4-H Impact Assessment Project, 2001; USDA; CSREESSource: Prepared and Engaged Youth; National 4-H Impact Assessment Project, 2001; USDA; CSREES

Key Elements Involve Four Concepts

Belonging

Mastery

Independence

Generosity

Belonging

Positive Relationship with a caring adult

An Inclusive environment

A safe environment

Mastery

Engagement in Learning

Opportunity for Mastery

Independence

Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future

Opportunity for self-determination

Generosity

Opportunity to value and practice service to others

All Youth will find ways to:

Meet Their Basic Needs

Build Skills and Values

Use their skills, talents, energies and time in ways that make them feel good and powerful

All Youth Need:

To know they are cared about by others To feel and believe they are capable and

successful To know they are able to influence people

and events To practice helping others Fun and stimulation

If Belonging and Mastery Needs are Unmet:

Unattached Guarded Rejecting Lonely Aloof Isolated Distrustful

Non-achiever Avoids Risk Fears challenges Unmotivated Gives Up Easily

If Independence and Generosity Needs Are Unmet:

Submissive Lacks confidence Irresponsible Helplessness Undisciplined Easily influenced

Selfish Narcissistic Hardened Anti-Social Exploitative

If Belonging and Mastery Needs are met in Negative Ways:

Gang Loyalty Craves Affection &

Acceptance Promiscuous Clinging Overly-Dependent

Overachiever Arrogant Risk-seeker Cheater Workaholic Perseveres Delinquent Skills

If Independence and Generosity Needs are met in Negative Ways:

Dictatorial Reckless Bully Sexual Prowess Manipulative Rebellious Defies Authority

Overly involved Plays Martyr Co-dependent

If Belonging and Mastery Needs are met in Positive Ways:

Attached Loving Friendly Intimate Social Cooperative Trusting

Achieving Successful Creative Problem-solver Motivated Persistent Competent

If Independence and Generosity Needs are met in Positive ways:

Autonomous Confident Assertive Responsible Inner Control Self-Disciplined Leadership

Altruistic Caring Sharing Loyal Empathic Pro-social Supportive

The Circle of Meeting Youth Needs

• Youth characteristics and behaviors impact whether they will get needs met in new situations.

• Adult responses to needs impact development of characteristics and behaviors in youth.

Response - Increases Characteristic or Behavior

Behavior or Characteristic

Impacts Type of Response

Need Met or Unmet

Youth OutcomesYouth Outcomes

• CompetenceCompetence Advanced skills in some important subjects of interestAdvanced skills in some important subjects of interest

• CharacterCharacter Clear, consistent moral precepts that effectively guide Clear, consistent moral precepts that effectively guide

behaviorbehavior

• CaringCaring Willingness to respond to the needs and concerns of othersWillingness to respond to the needs and concerns of others

(continued) (continued) ⇒⇒

Youth OutcomesYouth Outcomes

• ConfidenceConfidence Willingness to take on new challenges and expect Willingness to take on new challenges and expect

successsuccess

• ConnectionsConnections Establishing and maintaining relationships at many Establishing and maintaining relationships at many

levelslevels

• ContributionsContributions Making a difference in the lives of others through Making a difference in the lives of others through

serviceservice

SummarySummary

• Youth / Adult Interactions Youth / Adult Interactions • Appropriate Activities Appropriate Activities • Safe Environments (physical & psychological safety)Safe Environments (physical & psychological safety)• Developmental Stages of YouthDevelopmental Stages of Youth• Inclusive of Education, Youth Development, and CareInclusive of Education, Youth Development, and Care• Address the Head, Heart, Hands, & Health of YouthAddress the Head, Heart, Hands, & Health of Youth

Resources:• Eccles, J., & Gootman, J.A. (2002).

Community programs to promote youth development. Washington, D.C. National Academy Press. Available at: http://books.nap.edu/books/0309072751/html/1.html

• Kress, C.A. (2004). Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development. CSREES, USDA, Washington, DC

• www.nsaca.org• www.cyfernet.org• www.4hafterschool.org

(continued) ⇒

Resources:• www.afterschoolalliance.org• afterschool.org (Promising Practices in

Afterschool)• www.kcyouthnet.org/standards1.asp• www.reeusda.gov/extensioncares/• www.schoolagenotes.com/S101.html• www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/

afterschool/about.html (continued) ⇒

Resources:• Prepared and Engaged Youth: National 4-H

Impact Assessment Project, 2001. USDA, CSREES, Families, 4-H & Nutrition, Washington, D.C.

• After-School Programs & the K-8 Principal. Standards for Quality School-Age Child Care Revised Edition (1999). National Association of Elementary School Principals, 1615 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia. 22314-3483.