Creating a Staff Development/ Training Plan for the Year

Source: www.pexels.com

By Sam Piha 

Training plans and subsequent training sessions can enhance employee skills and promote program improvement. Investing in training plans that emphasize teamwork and communication skills can also contribute to better collaboration among employees. Offering training and development opportunities can enhance employee loyalty and reduce turnover rates by showing a commitment to employee growth.

However, this work can take significant time, effort, and financial resources to develop. It may also disrupt work as the individual may need time away from their regular tasks to focus on the development work. Coursera adds, “Asking people to participate in training that doesn’t interest or engage them can also backfire. If the content is ineffective, the individual could be investing the time but not gaining the required skills from the effort. Finally, training plans only make a difference if employees and managers prioritize individualized development plans. Underlying organizational issues, or a plan that takes a one-size-fits-all approach, can also undermine training plan effectiveness.” [i] 

“The benefits of youth worker training are often lost when times get tough. Training is often the first thing to go when budget cuts are needed. This is true even in industries that have greater financial capital to work with than youth-serving programs. But youth work leaders are faced with a no-win situation when budgets are tight... It’s not easy to solve the problem of tight budgets. But the need for well-trained and motivated staff is so important. As a result, youth work leaders must find exceptional training with a minimal cost. And that helps programs achieve their mission.” [ii]

WHAT IS A STAFF DEVELOPMENT PLAN?

According to Sam Cook, “A staff development plan, also referred to as professional development and career development plans, is a strategic tool used by organizations to support and enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities of their employees. When done right, an employee development plan not only helps people grow and excel further in their roles, but also builds a more skilled, adaptable, and engaged workforce. That is, both employees and employers benefit, as these plans bridge current capabilities to future needs.” [iii]

FIRST, THE BENEFITS OF YOUTH WORKER TRAINING

According to The Professional Youth Worker, “The benefits of youth worker training are often lost when times get tough. Training is often the first thing to go when budget cuts are needed. This is true even in industries that have greater financial capital to work with than youth-serving programs. But youth work leaders are faced with a no-win situation when budgets are tight. They must make the choice between offering less youth worker training or serving fewer young people. No one is blaming them!

It’s difficult to run a program and balance so many competing needs. Every day, youth work leaders struggle with the fact that funding for youth-serving programs is woefully inadequate. But abandoning training for youth workers is harmful. It has long-lasting negative impacts for every aspect of a youth program. And that costs all of us.

Video: The Benefits of Training Employees

Professional development for youth workers impacts your organization’s culture. Funding training for youth workers is a challenge. But it is always the best investment. Because youth worker training has so many positive outcomes.

Youth worker training promotes a positive organizational culture by:

• Promoting the value of learning
• Encouraging personal and professional growth
• Giving team members the confidence that they are well-trained
• Creating a sense of commitment
• Instilling pride in your mission

In fact, youth worker training is at the core of every successful program.

• Individually and as a team, youth workers are prepared to change lives;
• Young people supported by highly trained and motivated team members will experience measurable positive outcomes;
• A strong team and more positive outcomes help programs secure funding to support more young people.

Also:

• Youth Worker Training Reduces Expenses: As most youth work leaders know, turnover is expensive. Most research shows the average cost to replace a youth worker is about 30% to 50% of their annual salary. It is even more expensive for directors or program leads. Those costs are estimated at 150% of annual salary. Training is a proven tool for team member retention.
• Affordable Training for Working with Youth Is Vital: Outstanding leaders in youth work want to recruit and retain the best team members possible. They see professional development as an organizational priority. It’s not a perk or an afterthought to them. It’s not easy to solve the problem of tight budgets. But the need for well-trained and motivated staff is so important. As a result, youth work leaders must find exceptional training with a minimal cost. And that helps programs achieve their mission.” [iv]

Source: www.pexels.com

BENEFITS OF USING A STAFF DEVELOPMENT PLAN

According to Coursera, “Training and development can differentiate your program and keep employees engaged. Specifically, it’s useful to personalize employee development with an effective training plan. 

Organizations must equip their workforce with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today's rapidly evolving landscape. This is where well-crafted employee training plans come into play. Employee training plans provide a roadmap for skill development, career growth, and organizational success. 

As training plans are designed to develop competencies, they can help build employee confidence and positively impact the individual’s overall performance and success. This, in turn, benefits your organization’s success as the individual gains the skills to contribute over the long term and to add value to your business.” [v]

“Training plans can support individual and operational success by offering a clear roadmap for goal achievement. This can help individuals and organizations stay focused and on track. A well-designed training plan provides a structured approach to the larger goal, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This helps optimize time and resource utilization by prioritizing tasks and activities. Additionally, training plans include progress tracking mechanisms to help ensure the training produces the desired results. 

Developing a training plan can also boost employee engagement. They will see that you care about both recruiting and retaining talent. Plus, through regular check-ins with the individual, those offering accountability can develop supportive relationships with the employees. 

When we provide opportunities for growth, employees can perform their roles more effectively. 

• Increased Employee Engagement: When employees see that their career goals are supported by the organization, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. 
• Enhanced Retention: A strong development plan can help retain employees who feel valued and have opportunities for advancement. 
• Organizational Growth/ Improvement: By investing in staff development, organizations can build a more skilled and capable workforce, leading to improved performance and innovation.” [vi]

You can learn more on staff development, by reading our briefing paper, Creating a Staff Development Plan and by viewing a recent webinar recording.

END NOTES:
[i] Coursera, The Power of an Effective Employee Training Program
[ii] The Professional Youth Worker, The Benefits of Youth Worker Training
[iii] Sam Cook, What Is an Employee Development Plan? Overview and Creation Steps
[iv] The Professional Youth Worker, The Benefits of Youth Worker Training
[v] Coursera, The Power of an Effective Employee Training Program

[vi] IBID.

How to Help Kids Understand and Manage Their Emotions

Source: Temescal Associates

By Sam Piha

According to Ariana Hoet, Ph.D, from Kids Mental Health Foundation, “The best way to teach kids to express emotions is by making the time to talk about them and normalizing all feelings.” Below Ariana suggests some activities that may be useful:

• “Check-in. Create a habit of conversation with your child. Find a time to talk every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will let them know you care, you are listening, and you are there to support them. Conversations can help us understand how children are feeling and experiencing their environment. (See past Learning in Afterschool & Summer Blogs on Sharing Circles here.) 
• Praise. When a child uses emotion words or an appropriate way to express themselves, take the time to notice and compliment them. For example, saying things like “Thank you for sharing you’re feeling angry instead of slamming the door.”
• Validate. All emotions are normal and OK, even if you don’t think you would feel the same way. Say things like “I understand you’re nervous, we all feel that way sometimes” instead of dismissing how they feel (“there’s nothing here to be afraid about. It’s no big deal”). You can also share moments where you felt that emotion and how you coped with it.
• Encourage Pause. Many parents share that their child will go ‘from 0 to 100’ so quick. What is likely happening is that the child is ignoring the cues from their body that they are starting to get upset. As adults, we can encourage children to be more mindful of their thoughts and feelings and to take a pause to check-in with themselves. Kids can ask themselves things like, “How does my body feel right now? What thoughts are going through my mind?” This will help them identify their emotion and express it in a helpful way, instead of letting the emotion take control of them.
• Children learn by watching you. Express your emotions out loud so that they know it’s okay for them to do the same thing. Also, remember that children are learning to regulate, so they may still act out sometimes. When they express anger, sadness or another difficult emotion by misbehaving, responding with more negative emotion does not help. Respond with sympathy and try to coach them toward a better way to express themselves.” [i]

ACTIVITIES TO PRACTICE EXPRESSING EMOTIONS

Below are some activities suggested by Ariana Hoet. She writes,

• “Have your children draw, write, or tell a story about a character who feels a strong emotion. How do they express themselves?
• For younger children, puppets are a great way to create characters who can express different emotions and act them out in a playful way. Adults can help practice difficult events and how to identify the emotions and express them appropriately. 

We want to validate and normalize all emotions so that children feel comfortable talking about what they’re experiencing on the inside. Find those moments to check-in and always praise when you catch them using emotion words. Learn how you can teach children how to cope with those strong emotions.” [ii] 

INTRODUCE FEELINGS USING MY PAL, LUKE

Temescal Associates and The How Kids Learn Foundation developed a number of “talking therapy dog” videos to help kids build a feeling vocabulary and that focuses on the question of ‘How are you feeling?’ and explains how to use a feelings chart. These videos can help introduce the subject of feelings. To view the My Pal, Luke videos, click here.

 

MORE ABOUT...

Ariana Hoet Ph.D

Ariana Hoet, Ph.D, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, is the driving force behind our mission of providing educational resources that make sure mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing. 

Dr. Hoet believes all children and families should have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. That enthusiasm extends into her desire for making sure that people of all backgrounds are accepted and celebrated – a passion born from her own experience as an immigrant to the U.S. from Venezuela.

Dr. Hoet works in Pediatric Primary Care where she serves primarily immigrant children. She is also a clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, with a role in training the next generation of behavioral health professionals who will tackle the emerging mental health crisis in children.

RESOURCES:

• Feeling Charts
• Morning Check-In Meetings
• Learning in Afterschool & Summer Blogs on ‘Inside Out’ 1 & 2 
• Big Feels and How to Talk About Them
• Keeping the Conversation Going 

END NOTES:
[i] Ariana Hoet, Helping Kids Express Emotions Appropriately
[ii] IBID

Identifying and Understanding Feelings

Source: www.pixarpost.com

By Sam Piha

There are so many aspects to young people’s mental health. One thing we know is that kids need to be able identify their feelings. Helping kids identify their feelings is a crucial part of social and emotional development and is core to dealing with trauma and being able to self- regulate. This involves helping them recognize different emotions, understand their causes, and learn healthy ways to express them. 

“All emotions are a normal part of life and it's good to express them. Children need to learn how to communicate their emotions, even those often seen as negative, like anger or sadness. Regular conversations help kids feel supported and understood, it also will encourage them to express their feelings. Encourage children to pause and reflect on their feelings.” [i]

HERE'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

It is critical that we help young people develop a language related to feelings and use this language to help identify their own feelings and those of others. This is core to developing empathy for others. Why is this important? Google AI states:

• “Emotional Regulation: Learning to identify feelings is the first step in emotional regulation, which is the ability to manage and control one's emotions. 
• Improved Mental Health: Understanding emotions can help reduce anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. 
• Stronger Relationships: When children can identify and understand their own emotions, they can also better understand and empathize with the emotions of others, leading to stronger relationships. 
• Enhanced Self-Esteem: Being able to understand and express feelings helps children feel more in control of their emotions and reactions, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence. 
• Increased Resilience: Children who can identify and manage their emotions are better equipped to cope with difficult situations and bounce back from setbacks. 
• Better Social Skills: Understanding emotions helps children navigate social situations more effectively, leading to improved social skills and interactions. 
• Academic Success: Emotional regulation skills are linked to school success and academic achievement.” [ii]  

TEACHING KIDS HOW TO COPE WITH THEIR EMOTIONS

Teaching kids how to cope with their emotions ids how to cope with their emotions is one of the best life skills you can give them. This is what we call emotion regulation, and you can start the moment they’re born! Our experts recommend reading in this order:

• Naming emotions

“Once children learn emotion words and start noticing as they feel them in the moment, it’s important they learn how to communicate what they are feeling. This can be hard because children sometimes mistakenly learn we should avoid certain emotions, like anger, sadness or loneliness.” [iii] 

• Noticing how the emotions feel in their body
• Expressing their emotions
• Coping with their emotions

EMOTION VOCABULARY

If we want young people to be able to identify their feelings, they need to first develop an emotion vocabulary. To do this, Google AI suggests:

• “Name the feelings: Help children learn to label their emotions using words like happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, frustrated, etc. 
• Use visual aids: Employing picture cards or charts with faces showing different emotions can be helpful.  

Source: My Pal, Luke

“A feelings chart is a visual tool that can help you identify and verbalize your feelings. Feelings charts can be helpful for both kids and adults and can take on a variety of forms. And while they’re helpful in healthcare settings, you can also use a feelings chart on your own or with your family at home.” [iv] - Ariana Hoet (To download a free Feelings Chart, click here.) 

• Talk about feelings regularly: Create a safe space for open conversations about feelings in everyday situations. 
• Use books and stories: Discuss the emotions of characters in books and how they might be feeling in different situations. 
• Model emotional expression: Parents and caregivers can model healthy ways of expressing their own emotions. 
• Use play: Role-playing, puppets, and dolls can be great tools for exploring emotions. 
• Connect feelings to events: Help children understand what might cause them to feel a certain way. For example, ‘You seem sad because you didn't get to play outside today’. 
• Notice body language: Pay attention to how emotions show up in their bodies (e.g., butterflies in the stomach for nervousness, a tight chest for anger).” [v] 

END NOTES:
[i] Ariana Hoet, Helping Kids Express Emotions Appropriately
[ii] Google AI, Why is it Important for Young People to Develop Language for Their Feelings
[iii] Ariana Hoet, Helping Kids Express Emotions Appropriately
[iv] Liz Talago MEd, How to Use an Emotions Chart to Track Your Feelings
[v] Google AI, Best Ways to Identify Feelings and Develop Emotional Vocabulary with Young People

Designing Welcoming, Equitable, and Positive Girls' Sports Programs - 9 Tips

Source: Positive Coaching Alliance

Designing youth sports programs with girls central and in mind is key to making youth sports welcoming, equitable, and positive for all. Check out these nine tips! These tips are reposted with permission from Positive Coaching Alliance. 

1. Make It Girl-Centered

Over 90% of girls ages 7 to13 who play sports like (or love!) to participate. Younger and older girls, and young women really enjoy athletics. Presume girls are interested and want to play especially when programs are inclusive and accommodating.

2. Make It Intentional to Get All Girls in the Game

Black and Latinx girls enter sport at a later average age and leave sport earlier than their counterparts, affording girls of color an even narrower window of opportunity. Girls of color and girls in low-income
communities are getting fewer opportunities to play, yet want to play in greater numbers! Let’s include everyone.

3. Make It Responsive to Girls’ Interests

• Using simple surveys, small focus groups, and/or basic outreach to understand what sports girls want to play, and how, can help set up a lasting, successful program based on girls’ interests. For example, volleyball, soccer, and basketball are popular girls’ sports nationwide; check what girls want to play in your area.
• Many girls prefer and thrive in all girls’ athletic contexts whereas some girls like co-ed play – check with girls on what they prefer and offer that!
• Don’t assume what girls want to play or base offerings simply on what a coach knows / has coached/ what’s been historically offered. Ask and tailor programs.

4. Make It Safe (Physically)

Safety – Are the practice / game times, locations, facilities, and items like bathrooms safe
and accessible (corresponding to identity)? Simple steps like working lights, adult supervision, and safe, clear spaces help girls play.

Source: www.pexels.com

5. Make It Safe (Emotionally)

• Comfortable – Create fun, engaging sport routines so girls know what to expect.
• Belonging – Prioritize support and training for staff / coaches to use positive, gender-supportive language, names, and preferred pronouns, demonstrate empathy, and build connections with girls.
• Friends – Connections with peers is often a driver for participation. Use a buddy registration / team formation system so that girls can know one person, if preferred.
• Curb the Negative – Counter gender stereotypes that can limit girls’ participation. Ensure kids and adults near practice and game space use supportive language.
• Empathy – Coaches can listen to understand girls’ perspectives without judgment.

6. Make It Accessible

• Scheduling – Getting to practice / games is doable if scheduling and facilities are considered – e.g., have sports on / near campuses at ideal times, at a close-by park, and along public transit lines. Support carpools. Consider calendar conflicts.
• Cost – Cost impacts girls in starting and sticking with sport. Make offerings affordable and scholarships available – consider costs (league, equipment, transportation).

7. Make It Informed to Understand Barriers

Finding out what’s keeping girls from playing is key to designing inclusive, supportive, positive, girl-oriented programming. Common barriers easily overcome include:

• Not knowing how / when to sign up for sports programming
• Knowledge gaps re: sports
• Never having played before
• Gender inequity, such as girls’ teams / leagues / divisions getting “less”
• Attitudes of families, communities, and institutions impeding girls’ play
• Obligations (e.g., job to support family; caretaking of siblings)

Source: www.pexels.com

8. Make It Inviting to Break Down Barriers

• Use inviting, clear team, division, and league information for sign-ups; include images of girls actively playing in outreach materials.
• Explain rules and game to girls brand new to the sport; novices welcome!
• Ensure girls’ offerings are gender equitable (facilities, schedules, etc.)
• Share information with girls, families, and all re: why girls in sport benefit (ideally in multiple languages and in engaging ways).
• Offer practice / games when girls are available; explore childcare help for girls with family-oriented obligations.

9. Make It Collaborative With Girls

• Voice and Choice – Share power with girls to help design your program
• Effort, Learn from Mistakes, Mastery – Celebrate progress, not just outcomes
• Balance – Instill healthy competition and fun; mindful of girls’ range of motivations

Download the resource here.

For a full briefing paper on the importance of play, click here.

Check out our upcoming webinar on The Importance of Play in Afterschool. To learn more and register, click here.