Discussion: Age-Appropriate School-Age﻿ Scenario * Module 2 Page 24 (12/13)

Discussion: Age-Appropriate School-Age Scenario * Module 2 Page 24 (12/13)

6/4/2016

21 Comments

Go Back

The Discussion Board is a tool for sharing thoughts and ideas about class materials.

Click here for an alternate option for submitting your answer.

"Agree or Disagree" is not considered an answer.
You are required to type an appropriate response.

Please read the scenario, then discuss the following questions:

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate?
If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers?
Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again?

School-ager Scenario
You just started working in an afterschool program for 5-8 year olds at a local elementary school. The children are expected to do their homework as soon as they come in afterschool since this is what parents want. You notice that this is a constant struggle with children acting up and complaining (and doing very little actual homework.) Your supervisor asks what you think they should do. What do you think should change and how would you explain your reasons?

21 Comments

Marie Brenner Wood

4/12/2018 08:27:58 pm

This behavior is definitely age appropriate.

Explain that children this age need frequent breaks to meet their physical needs before they are able to sit and focus on a task.

Rather than making them start their homework right after they come from finishing a full day at school, have them come in and have snack time, then a short recess or circle time involving a movement activity, then settle down and begin a set amount of time for homework before another break.

Prashant Chand

4/16/2018 03:13:02 pm

I think that the behaviors are age appropriate but I don't believe the expectations are.
I would explain my co workers that they obviously have already had a long day so we should find a way to compromise with the children so that they can actually end up doing their homework successfully. I would explain to the parents what has been going on and ask for their opinion on what to do first and then I would tell them what I think after I let them talk first.
To prevent this situation from happening again, like I said above, I would find a way to work with my team to find a way to compromise with the students so we can keep them and their parents happy.
In my opinion I would let the children get 10-30 minutes of free time first depending on how long the after school program so they can kind of relax and get a chance to clear their minds. Everyone needs a break especially kids because their minds are as developed as adults so I feel like I'd make a deal with the children and their parents so that they can have some free time first and then get back to working hard.

Alexis Brooke Mumey

4/24/2018 10:51:49 am

I think this behavior is definitely age appropriate, especially when the children have just been in school all day and are then asked to do all of their homework. I would explain this to parents and co-workers that way and hope to solve it by collaborating with parents and co-workers to encourage the kids to finish up their work so they can have free time outside or a structured craft or something. I would also work with them on their homework and try to make it fun and simplified so they finish it quickly without even realising they were working so hard, I think frequent short breaks would help this as well so their attention doesn't dwindle.

Marquise Green

4/26/2018 11:30:13 am

This behavior is totally age-appropriate. Think about it, the children have been in school all day, and have received information and teaching for at least 8 hours. It may serve well to give the children time to get rid of all that pent-up energy by letting them go outside first or partaking in a physical activity or game before getting into homework. I would explain to parents how necessary it is to have children engage in this activity first, because it will create a more efficient homework atmosphere after.

Teagan Aune

4/26/2018 06:45:28 pm

I think that the children are behaving normally for their age. It can be hard for them to go to school all day and then sit down and focus again to do homework. I would suggest that the children have time to go outside and run around then they can come in and get a snack so that they are motivated to come back inside because they will recieve food. Once they are inside they will start on homework. If the parents have concerns it would be easy to tell them that children can not focus that long at that age because it is not their nature to. They need time to be active and after being active they may become more motivated than they were before.

Sydney Lestage

4/27/2018 03:01:47 pm

1. Not entirely. Children who have just gotten out of school need to release energy before they are expected to sit and work more.

2.I would kindly let them know that the children will be more productive and get more homework done if they were to have some outside time first.

3. I could make sure that the program is set up better to begin with. With more active time and then learning afterwards.

Kylee Harper

4/28/2018 01:40:23 pm

Five to Eight year olds are typically in school for about 6 hours, Monday-Friday. After six hours, it is safe to assume that they are probably done with anything school related and homework is the last thing they want to immediately get started on. I would propose that the children first engage in an activity before given the expectation to sit and work on homework. To explain this to supervisors, coworkers, and parents I would remind them what it is like to be a child "remember when you were in school and after school you wanted to just play?" and I would also relate to their current situation. Do we want to continue working after we get off work? Or do we prefer to have some free time before any other work demand/responsibility? To prevent this situation from happening again, I would create a visual schedule for the children so they know what to expect while at the after school program. First would be activity of sorts. Maybe a game or something to get them moving around and getting out their energy. Then we would transition to homework time and let the children know that staff are there to help them and encourage the children to work together as well, further promoting social interactions.

Noel Hahn

4/28/2018 06:46:41 pm

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate?
I agree that homework time in after school programs are important, but I do think that there should be some time where they can have free time for themselves.

If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers?
At this age, there still needs to be reminders of what things should be done as a student in school. Having an after school program could benefit while doing homework because they can ask for help from people who can accurately give them the help they need. Growing up I never had anyone at home to help me with homework if I needed it so going to after school programs really helped me be successful in finishing my homework. As long as the after school environment isn't a free for all where all that the kids do is talk with friends and do nothing, there is lots of productive things that can be accomplished in the time they are there. I do think there needs to be a time in the beginning where the kids can feel free to do their own thing before jumping into homework. They just had a full day of structure and demands, and just like adults we need some time to just relax. Giving them this free time could help to keep them focused when doing homework after.

Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again?
As I said, I think free time in the beginning before homework could help to keep the focus and also make after school programs flow better for everyone involved.

Anna Dik

4/30/2018 08:19:45 am

It is possible that they just want to relax for a little because they just came from school and one possible way to fix this problem is by allowing the children to have a physical activity, then snack and then homework time. This will help them relax and they will be more willing to do the homework. This expectation is age- appropriate, these children should be able to finish homework on their own with little help. I would tell the parents that we are doing homework time later in the day so they can get their after school energy out before setting them for quiet homework time.

Toya Hill

5/2/2018 07:10:34 pm

I think this behavior is age appropriate and what I would do would be to suggest that the students come in and have a snack and some water first before beginning to try accomplish a task of school work that they have been doing all day anyways. Also, setting up a schedule lets them know that once the clock reaches that time, then its homework time and they are already aware and prepared for it.

Dodie Williams

5/2/2018 07:36:27 pm

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate?
Yes it is..

If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers?
I would say that our children have been in school all day so we need to get them moving and allow them a snack before we can expect them to begin after school homework.

Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again?
I would have check in time with all of the students to see where they are emotionally and cognitively prepared. Once we all know what is expected we can go to work.

Miriam Holt

5/3/2018 07:25:12 pm

Children may find it easier to get work done if they are allowed to work in a more tactile and social manner than they are allowed in school. This may simultaneously allow freedom and productivity.

Benjamin B Schmechel

5/7/2018 01:45:45 pm

I would reply by saying that this seems to be age-appropriate behavior. Children of this age need a lot of physical play and are still learning to build their executive functioning capacities of prolonged focus or stillness. I would suggest that the children be allowed to go outside to run and play for an initial period (or organised in a movement activity), and then brought in to do homework, perhaps with a snack in the transition.

Michelle

5/7/2018 06:02:43 pm

This behavior is very age appropriate. I would explain to parents and co workers that I believe it is best for the kids to have some other activities to keep them busy, as they have just come back from a full day of school work. I find that the kids are more productive with homework if they have had a little time away from any school work. After they have had some free time, then they should start on homework.

Alexis Holleman

5/10/2018 02:36:03 pm

I believe this task is very age appropriate. The parents have a right to ask their child to be doing this task. The child should be given the opportunity though to be able to play once their homework is done. Tell them that they have to finish their homework and then can be given the free time that they desire. But they also need to know if there isn't cooperation then they would have to do homework for the rest of the time there. Be rewarded for doing their homework correctly.

Helen Wong

5/12/2018 12:20:17 pm

I think it is age appropriate. Kids have had a long day at school and may be tired and over stimulated. I think it's good to set up a schedule with expectations and even have discussions with the children on what their time should look like with the outcome that they finish their homework by the end of the class. So they may vote to have free play first or after they do their homework. There is a routine set up and they agree to and understand the expectations.

Elizabeth Ranquist

5/18/2018 12:30:57 pm

I believe to task is appropriate, I find in my classroom it works well to have snack prior to starting on homework. The kids have a chance to socialize with their friends. They are used to this routine. We don't have a time frame homework is to be done by. The kids know when homework is done they can paly or go outside. If a child doesn't have homework they are able to reading quietly.

Caleb Ryden

5/19/2018 10:49:34 pm

I believe this is very age-appropriate. While it is not the most positive mindset, I have found that most of the school age children that I work with would rather be playing than working on their homework. The method I use to help them focus is by telling them they are allowed to get up and play as much as they want once their homework is finished, they tend to focus on that and ask more questions to help them work harder and finish their assignments. I would speak to a parent by telling them that the child has a hard time wanting to do their homework in the first place. I would suggest the parent supporting the child by encouraging them to ask questions and set a very positive attitude towards their education. In the classroom, I would do the same. I would create more one-on-one time with each child working on homework, giving them the chance to ask me questions and I would talk out each question on their homework in a very positive, fun way. This would also help them develop a healthy work ethic which would benefit them then as well as in the future.

Jenny Teuscher

5/20/2018 10:30:13 pm

This is definitely age appropriate.

Kids this age have a lot of energy and need a release for it once in awhile to help them settle down and refocus.

I would provide a physical activity then start on Homework.

Gabriel

5/21/2018 06:55:11 pm

The behavior is very much common for young children being introduced to homework. To ensure homework is done, I would do a "pool" of kids who are in the same class, that way I can monitor which classes have which homework. I would also introduce a sign in sheet so that I may annotate whether or not they have homework. Lastly, I would involve myself more with the homework to ensure and show the children that homework is not only vital, but can be fun in a way to exercise your brain.

Kyle Van Pelt

5/23/2018 05:58:32 am

I believe the the behavior is age-appropriate because at this age group, children are being introduced to having homework for the first time. I would have the children arrive to the after school program by having snack first, this will give them a moment to relax their brains from having school all day and it will allow them to be social with their peers. After snack, we would give them an opportunity to go outside for recess so that can use their body to move around and participate in outdoor activities. After recess, we would do a group meeting at the carpet area and excuse the friends that have homework to work at the table. For the children who are new to homework, we would take the time to help them get started on their work and then encourage them to try on their own. Giving the children a chance to take a break from school work at the beginning of the program will help regain their focus on their school work. I would pass these information to my supervisor, my co-workers, and the families.

Required Assignment