Friday's workshop focused on Helping Staff Foster Positive Behavior in Children. Our facilitator was Susan O'Connor, who is the Director of the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative (HSLI)*.
One of the most important messages that Ms. O'Connor got across to the class is that kids come to a program initially for the activities, but they stay for the relationships. It is vitally important that each child feels welcome, has a say in how the program operates and feels like a vital member of the group. O'Connor also outlined some interesting facts about the way children listen, how the right number and balance of rules impacts their behavior and what to steer clear of when planning program activities.
There are three more sessions in this year's Director's Seminar Series. Ms. O'Connor will conduct two of them: February 25, 2011 at the Middlesex YMCA, topic Program Planning and Design; and April 21, 2011 at the Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, topic The Basics of Coaching for Quality Improvement.
For all the information about the Director's Seminar Series visit: www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org/training/DirectorSeminarSeries.htm
* HSLI was launched in the Summer of 2006 to bring equity in summer opportunities and learning for low income children. The initiative provides supports to a network of 45 programs, including thematic curriculum, training, technical assistance, action grants, scholarships and a teen apprenticeship program. HALS has merged with the WestMOST Network that works to build public awareness about the importance of after school and out-of-school time learning.
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| Participants working out a behavior scenario |
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| Michelle Cunningham, Susan O'Connor and Ken Anthony |
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| Susan O'Connor in action. |
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| Another group analyzing behavior scenarios. |
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