These workshops focus on creating a strong program structure, schedule, and theory of practice. Examples of Afterschool Program Methods trainings include:

Child Centered Programming
This workshop emphasizes the importance of child-centered programming as a way of meeting the developmental needs of school-age children. Sometimes, unknowingly, a program may be structured in a way that is conducive to meeting the needs of staff and not necessarily the needs of children. Ensuring the staff are seen as facilitators and mediators will minimize unwanted behaviors and make for a higher quality program. Available Trainers: Anne Gleason, Tricia Pawlik, or Tami Stagner

Teachable Moments: Using Reflection with Children
Reflection brings learning to life. It helps learners make connections between educational experiences and real life situations and creates pathways to future learning. Educators recognize the value of reflection and processing, but often find that facilitating it is one of the most challenging aspects of group work. This interactive workshop provides you with a variety of reflection tools and approaches that will dramatically improve your ability to turn teachable moments into profound personal insights and lasting lessons that meet a wide range of learning styles. Leave with new processing tools, activities and ideas to add to your facilitation repertoire.  Available Trainer: Jen Stanchfield

Guiding your Group
Join in this fun and interactive session and fill your group facilitation toolbox with techniques to create a positive learning community, increase youth engagement, and facilitate meaningful reflection and group dialogue. Enliven your afterschool program with experiential, brain-friendly methods to meet the various learning styles in your groups. Help youth make connections between educational experiences and real life situations and take ownership and responsibility for their learning.  Available Trainer: Jen Stanchfield

Best Practices in Programming
This workshop reviews the principles to understand school age children and the intricacies of providing quality care. We will touch upon the components of program structure, discipline concerns, and building relationships with children and families.  Participants should bring examples of challenging situations within their program so that the group may assist in coming up with ways to address them.  Available Trainers: Anne Gleason, Tricia Pawlik, or Tami Stagner

Things that Stick Together
Theme-based activities can help you represent many types of learning experiences in new and exciting ways. Themes include hands on activities in: Art, Literacy, Math and Science, as well as ideas for enrichment, games, multi-cultural and snacks! Come and explore how themes help “stick together” new ideas and bring in new twists to “tired” activities in your school age program!  Available Trainers: Michelle Bullock or Rhonda Drake

Creating a “Tool Kit” of Ideas for School Age
This workshop will assist staff in developing a well-rounded curriculum that is age appropriate and includes something for everyone. Participants will brainstorm ideas for themes, games, art, clubs, community service projects and more. It can be challenging to provide new and creative activities every day . . . come and uncover some new ideas for your program.  Available Trainers: Anne Gleason, Julie Peterson, Tami Stagner, Tricia Pawlik, or Hannah Christiansen

Fun and Learning at the Same Time
Children are spending their childhoods in our programs and childhood should be FUN! But that doesn’t mean they can’t be learning at the same time! Let’s explore games, projects and activities that embrace fun and provide enriching learning opportunities. Fun and learning for all school ages.  Available Trainer: Tami Stagner