Character Day is September 22, 2016

By Sam Piha

Sam Piha

The idea that we should help young people build strong character traits is not new. It dates back to the origins of youth programs in America in the late 1800s. The importance of character building has seen a resurgence due to the research and literature on non-cognitive/social emotional skills, grit, growth mindsets, and the success of charter schools such as those managed by Kipp and the Harlem Children’s Zone. 

We believe that afterschool and summer programs are uniquely positioned to focus on the character building of their youth. All youth programs can celebrate character building by participation in Character Day on September 22, 2016. 

Let It Ripple has developed short films for young people and lesson plans for program leaders to support the offering of character building activities on Character Day. They have made participation very easy. You can click here to review their materials, which are suitable for children of all ages. 

They have created a “periodic chart” of character traits which includes: 

Wisdom 

• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Love of Learning
• Perspective

Courage

• Bravery
• Perseverance
• Honesty
• Enthusiasm

Humanity 

• Love
• Kindness
• Social Intelligence

Justice

• Social Responsibility
• Teamwork
• Fairness
• Leadership

Temperance

• Forgiveness
• Humility
• Prudence
• Self-Control

Transcendence

• Appreciation of Beauty
• Gratitude
• Optimism
• Humor
• Spirituality 

The Learning in Afterschool & Summer (LIAS) project is working to enlist the commitment of youth programs to participate in this important day. LIAS staff will review available materials and assist programs in selecting those that are most appropriate. You can contact LIAS by going to www.learninginafterschool.org. 

Introducing the Expanded Learning 360°/365 Project

Sam Piha

By Sam Piha

In the last decade, research on learning and the brain, and the impact of social-emotional and character skills, has expanded our understanding of learning. Currently, we are witnessing a significant pivot from a narrow focus on academic performance, measured by standardized reading and math test scores, to a broader perspective of young people’s development that includes and promotes social-emotional and character skills.

This shift is based on recent research on the importance of social emotional learning, non-cognitive skills, growth mindsets, and character skills. Much of this is reflected by the new Common Core State Standards, the CORE Waiver’s focus on social-emotional accountability, and Expanded Learning Quality Standards being developed in many states.

In order to see this shift fully realized, a number of capacity building organizations came together to form a new project, entitled Expanded Learning 360°/365: Skills for Success in School, Work, and Life. These organizations include ASAPconnect, California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC), Learning in Afterschool & Summer (LIAS)/Temescal Associates, and Partnership for Children and Youth.

This project is designed to help policymakers, district and school leaders and expanded learning providers better identify and integrate social-emotional and character skills into their work with young people. We will accomplish this by:

• Clearly defining the role that expanded learning plays in social-emotional and character skill development,
• Promoting that school and expanded learning leaders work together to integrate teaching strategies around these skills across the school day and into expanded learning time,
• Working with policymakers and district leaders to integrate these ideas into the policies that guide and govern schools and expanded learning programs, and
• Identifying and developing trainings and curriculum for school and expanded learning staff that include best practices for supporting these skills in their young people.

Because we have seen a recent proliferation of lists identifying critical skills for youth, it is easy to see why some afterschool leaders are confused – “Which list is most important; which list should I use?” The Expanded Learning 360°/365 project convened a research work group to distill these lists into a more useable list - a single list. We will share more in a future post. Meanwhile, to learn more, click here.