What is the focus of training provided to afterschool staff?

Training provided to afterschool staff primarily focuses on on-the-job skills enhancement to ensure that staff members are equipped to effectively manage and engage with students in their care. This type of training helps staff develop practical skills that can be directly applied in the afterschool environment, improving their ability to foster a positive and productive atmosphere.

Enhancing on-the-job skills includes training in areas such as behavior management, effective communication, engaging activities, and promoting social and emotional learning. This ensures that staff are not just familiar with the theory behind good practices but also know how to implement these practices in real-time with students.

While curriculum development, resource management, and student assessment are important aspects of running an afterschool program, they tend to be broader or more specialized topics that might not be the primary focus of training for all staff members. Instead, on-the-job skills enhancement ensures that all staff have the tools they need to respond effectively to the daily challenges and opportunities that arise in an afterschool setting.