This unique resource is for people who care for children in organized settings when they are not in school—programs for children ages 5–12 that operate before and after school and during the summer. For example, programs run by parks and recreation departments, school districts, YMCAs, and churches. It can also be adopted as text in curriculum school-age development, principles and practices, and program practices courses.
Three types of environments are covered—physical (indoor and outdoor), temporal (social and emotional), and interactive (interpersonal)—to help staff members set up a new program or enhance an existing program that is inviting and engaging to children. Ideas, strategies, and realistic approaches are provided to create a program that is developmentally appropriate, nurturing, and safe; a place that children will want to return to.
More than 100 color photographs, reproducible forms and checklists, and an index are included.
The authors are frequent presenters at local, regional, and national conferences, including the Ohio Afterschool Association conference and National Afterschool Association.
