III. Intentional Programming and Activities
Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs
Key Principle:
Youth experience a variety of fun and stimulating opportunities for engagement and learning that support positive physical,social, emotional and cognitive development.
- Youth actively engage in learning activities that promote critical and creative thinking skills.
- Youth assume leadership roles and contribute to program planning, development, implementation and evaluation.
- Activities are intentional and are aligned with the program’s mission.
- Youth interests and strengths are reflected in program activities.
- Program is explicit about the specific physical,social and emotional skills it seeks to develop and what program activities support these goals.
- Materials and activities are developmentally appropriate and accessible to all youth.
Examples of the Standard in Practice:
- Youth have opportunities to play/work individually as well as collaboratively in a small or large group.
- Most activities are hands-on, interactive, project-based, and/ or encourage youth exploration of new concepts that relate to their everyday experiences.
- Staff intentionally plans activities that build upon the specific interests of youth in their program.
- Program goals for youth outcomes are used for backwards planning to develop program activities that support desired outcomes.