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

18 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?

18 Comments

Matt

8/26/2018 11:21:22 am

This is a tough one for me, my program is in a K-8 school and this is the way homework is approached. It's difficult to balance "these are the rules for everyone" with the needs of specific ages. The moment you release the little guys to run around and burn off some energy is the moment the 13 and 14 years olds start in with the "yeah but...."

I don't think it's so much a question of appropriate or inappropriate to expect children to follow the community rules, but I can tell you in coaching my 5-7 year old baseball team I learned it was far easier to have some wiggle time at the beginning of practices and games than it was having to spend 10-15 minutes trying to wind down the high-energy kids so they wouldn't disrupt drills or dig in the dirt during the game. I would explain to parents that sometimes we have to give something in order to get something, and demonstrate how that 5-10 minutes of free time disrupts the schedule far less than dealing with a restless mob will later on.

Delenee Brugman

8/27/2018 10:43:54 am

I would recommend starting the after school program with a snack since it has probably been a few hours since lunch time. Then recess. The students should have free choice during recess - unstructured play. Then they should know the routine: homework after recess for 30 minutes, for example.
This provides energy (food), a release of energy (exercise), which are both supportive of brain activity (homework).

Juliana Howard

8/28/2018 06:18:15 pm

I would say this behavior is pretty age appropriate because the children have been in an accidemic setting all day where they are usually sitting. I would recomend a 30 minute free time where the children could get out some energy before going back to doing school work. I would explan to parents that I would still make sure that homework gets done

Mariana Nashat Gad

8/31/2018 11:00:38 am

We need to understand they are only children and passed a lot time in the school. A little break is good for them.No, it is not an age appropriate expectation.I will let it know the parents explaining the situation when the children come here with me and they want to little break to eat and stretch for a little while.

megan mcgrath

9/1/2018 12:48:30 pm

If required, homework can be accomplished in aftercare very easily and positively.
A child should not be expected to come in directly from the school day and get started on homework and that message should be conveyed ahead of time to parents.
Every child needs some time to unwind after school, providing time for playing outside or inside and a snack can help to ease the child back into the homework time.
There should be a set time frame, a separate room and a person to help facilitate homework...

Madison

9/17/2018 01:29:33 pm

I completely agree with you, Megan. Children need some sort of break between school and homework and like you suggested the perfect thing would be some free time where they are able to burn off some energy and eat something that nourishes their bodies. I would definitely explain this to the parents and my coworkers by telling them that the children can't be expected to come from school and immediately sit down to work on more school work.

Keri

9/2/2018 11:06:54 am

Yes, the children's response with their behavior is age-appropriate. The parents' expectations of the children immediately doing their homework after school is not age-appropriate...I would explain to the parents and co-workers, that when just coming from school, the children should have so recreational time before they settle down with their homework. If I were to make a suggestion and explain to the schedule planner, this situation might not happen again.

Sally Elhousieny

9/2/2018 02:40:47 pm

i would want the children to let me know what they want and what would make them better able to do their school work. i would then talk to the parents and let them know what their children want and how this helps them better get their work done. i think its important for these children to make their own decisions and for me as a caretaker and for their parents to support them becoming independent.

lucy hamilton

9/3/2018 11:22:31 am

Yes, this behavior is appropriate for the age. I would start by asking the class what they would like to do to start. After getting some ideas I would decide on the best options that would help the class. I would give the class sometime before starting their work to have free time.

McKenna Stewart

9/4/2018 08:09:20 pm

I absolutely think that this behavior is expected for school agers. I would begin by explaining how their children are stuck in a chair all day, and how it is important to be active at this age for a number of reasons. I would talk to all the parents about having a time at the beginning of daycare to run around and work out some of the built up energy to give them a better chance for success in their homework time. Then I would introduce a new way of doing homework that was reward based so that everyone has a chance for success

Madlena

9/13/2018 09:53:09 pm

I totally agree with you. And I like your idea.

Barbara Pierson

9/8/2018 01:51:30 pm

Corporal punishment and unreasonable discipline are not permitted in education and care services, not only because the child may be physically harmed, but also because it nearly always has detrimental effects on the child’s self-esteem and feelings of security and belonging.Each child is supported to manage their own behaviour, respond appropriately to the behaviour of others and communicate effectively to resolve conflicts, has a strong focus.The dignity and the rights of every child are maintained at all times.

Ashley James

9/9/2018 04:35:50 pm

I do think the behavior is appropriate for the age. I think it is an unrealistic expectation. They just got out of school and need a break before being expected to do more work. What I would suggest to the supervisor is maybe giving the kids 20 minutes of activity time and then getting to homework. I believe they would be more willing to get back to work at that point,

Abimelec

9/9/2018 05:17:00 pm

1.appropriate expectation.
2.explain to co-workers and parents that children have been at school for many hours and at the end of the day they are exhausted and want some time to relax, and that’s why pulling out the homework and working on it can be challenging.
3. Work together with the kids and provide an incentive for homerokmtime so they see it as a time that will have a reward for them.

Diana Cabrera

9/9/2018 11:29:09 pm

It's completely normal for the age. The child has been all day in school learning, reading, working with teacher and other students. Of course he/she are going to act this way. When a child comes out of school all they want to do is have fun, enjoy the rest of the day, play with friends. I would explain to the parents that the child should at least have 1 hour of free play, letting the child focus on other activities will help them encourage a plan to return to do his/her homework after they understand it's important to do their school work after they have free play. This will help the child feel more encourage to use his time wisely and return ready to finish his school work.

9/13/2018 09:51:54 pm

This behavior is absolutely normal for this age. Children just got out of school, where they have been sitting for the majority of the day. They need time to be able to run around and relax a little. 30 minutes free time would be good. I would explain this to the parents, and assure them that the homework would be done after 30 minutes break.

Cassidy Mclean

9/17/2018 08:53:59 pm

Being able to have a snack when. they are done with school and then have some outside time and then do quiet time/homework so they have a break with school

Robert M Robinson

9/18/2018 09:55:28 pm

I would suggest a brief activity time and maybe a snack to ease the transition from school to the after school porgram. Likely it's been awhile since they've eaten or had a chance to play and will be distracted by this.

Required Assignment