I believe external pressures would be the most crucial. If your program isn't interesting enough, or not accomplishing the goal they want to achieve then youth won't want to be engaged. Peer pressure, gangs and drugs are good examples. Most of all youth just want to have a good time. Yes, some want to pursue the goal of your program, but that's a small number. If you can't connect with and engage them, you might as well call it school.
That is a good idea Richard I really wouldn't have thought about that,thinking from an adult point of view,and not necessarily from the kids view. I think that the lack of parental involvement in the educational process is huge now. We have lots of parents that just send their kids to school as if it's day care. They never go to family events at the school. Barely attend parent-teacher conferences, and couldn't even tell you what classes the child is talking this semester. If there was a way to engage the whole family in the certain aspects of the program....Such as through surveys, family newsletters, family events(holiday party). Something that says we value your relationship with your child.A lot of programs ignore the family I don't think ours should.
What Richard said is very true. After talking to the students and asking them why they don't go to the boys and girls club as of now they say because it's not fun and there is nothing there that they like to do. We need to do events that they will enjoy as well as benefit from. And if we are going to have events on certian days we need to have a variety of things so everyone will want to participate in something. Since the kids are the ones going to the boys and girls club we need to know exactly what they like to do. Some days there should be fun events and the others should be educational and teach them things about life and surving as well as helping them better their grades.
I agree with the previous answers. As a child I had a very short attention span with things that weren't of my interest. So drawing off my prior experiences and from talking to the young man in class, lack of interest is the main reason so many kids don't go to the boys and girls club. In order to make a program proposal, kids should be interviewed to see what would get them to come to the boys and girls club first off. Then the people proposing the program should also ask kids what would keep them coming back to the boys and girls club. Listening is the key when trying to make a program proposal because kids want to feel listened to, and if they feel a program was implemented based on their goals, interests, and beliefs, they will have no problem going to the program.
In talking with the young man in class, I learned of many things to keep the kids coming back to the boys and girls club such as: adults not punishing them so harshly, being able to receive help with homework, college students showing up (they feel they can better relate to us rather than the older adults there), icebreakers amongst the kids to form friendships easier and not have to make friends on their own etc.
The ideas for a program proposal are all out there within the kids' hearts and minds, we just have to take the time to listen to them and execute those ideas.
we seem scared of our own race when it comes to meeting people that could help lead us in the right direction. Like in class tuesday marques brought a few students from the community that were bad students at one point doing school, but because of his program they are elite students in the school now. Once children see that someone care they will realize it as they grow. We have to take the initiative to want better instead of being timid and realizing it late. We could start more program that will allow students to attend the Boys and Girls club by asking them what they want to do and who they want. Most of the gentlemen like sports and rap. we could bring rappers and athletes to the Club and have them share their experience of their journal of success so the young ones can endure and hear what they have to do.
When we talked to the boys they made it seem like the boys and girls club arent providing a wide range of activities for the kids. We have to take into consideration the type of kids were dealing with. Some kids are coming from single parent homes and others don't have their parents in their lives. So when we propose these programs it has to be something that they can relate to. You draw them in with a interesting program and then you have discussion relevant to the things they are dealing with. When proposing a program you definitely have to find a way to incorporate some type of encouragement. All of us in the Black Leadership class have a story for how we got where we are. Social issues definitely have to be considered when doing program proposal.
To be honest I feel the major social issue affecting young African Americans when it comes toward programming is simply the opportunity to be heard. Before the students came in to our class, we based the programs of our believe of what needs to be better in the society and current issues. However, those are valid points too but if we are making programs based on what the youth wants. They would most likely support and be in attendance.
there are a number of social issues but the most important may now be the amount of black youth straight out of 6th grade that are now having sex, this issue spreads and has become a problem on a broader level because it then become'S the cause of early pregnancy and then epidemics of STI's. ALSO the fact that the images projected on and throughout the media are promoting a non community. Ideas that propose a more positive community should be the basis of such programs
High school drop-out rates. Violence. These two social issues can be addressed with people that work in the program that actually (in Dr. P's terms) "Give a damn". My own personal experience, I watched 16 boys go to college. these boys were not the best in academics and most were the one's that people would put down and say they will not be anything in life. they were able to stay out of trouble, graduate from high school and move on to college because they had a basket ball coah that actually "gave a damn".
I think that all of these ideas are good points. After talking to the boys I learned that they would appreciate having the people who run the programs make it a fun experience for them. They didn't like the people who take it too serious and made them feel like they were in school (which is why they don't go to the Boys and Girls Club). They also don't want a staff who are too lenient and let them roam around doing whatever they please. That increases the chances of the kids bullying each other and getting into trouble. I think that if there is a happy medium in the structure of the activity that takes place in the program, it will help parents as well as kids be interested in joining.
One social issues that I think that should be considered and must be overcome is the domestic life of these children. The simple fact of the matter is that the home life is not creating an atmosphere that is breeding excellence which is why these after school programs are so essential. With single parent home kids are being raised by older siblings/cousins because moms are working two jobs just to make ends meet. Another situation may be a parent that is unemployed who sits at home throughout the entire day doing absolutely nothing productive, which sets a precedent to the children that it is okay to come home after school and watch television all day without doing homework or any studying. Also some parents just can't help their children with homework, many parents are uneducated themselves and may not be capable of assisting their children with school work. The home life is not setting high standards for the children of this era. If we can remove these kids from a domestic life(if even for a short amount of time after school) that is doing more harm and than good to these kids and put them in a place that sets a high standard of excellence, we are already winning half the battle.
I agree with Mike B. on this topic. While talking to the 6th graders, I realized that this is the age where children start to get curious about the other sex on a physical/emotional level. As a result of this, their values start to change and adapt, and as a result, their role models change as well and they start looking for people other than their parents to come to when searching for advice. I believe if children have people our age to talk to about why it's cool to do good in school, then they will feel like they can use us as role modes as they are growing in curiousity wiith the other sex. Sometimes children do things just to impress girls or to impress their friends. If they can be around us more and see how we interact with other women our age, then they will have a head start with seeing what type of personality is appropriate in order to become mature.
I believe that social issues do start at home and the environment that a child lives, which is previously stated, if the child is not brought up in a positive and motivating background that will effect their future endeavourers. As far as considering proposals for developing programs we have to keep in mind these kids interests and focus on being that positive and motivating atmosphere these kids need.
One major aspect that should be focused on, is how that program will impact them in the future. A lot of programs today just focus on the present, which may be a good thing at the time, but doesn't so much show attention to what is really important. These programs need to help kids understand how responsibility grows as much as they do, so that they can be prepared for life in the future. Luckily enough, I do believe that there are programs that do exist, they just need to be followed upon by newer upcoming programs.
I agree that the program should not only focus on them as kids but also what could help them in the future. They need to benifit form these programs becuase they are the future, and they need to have a good pathway and guidence in order for them to be successful in the future. THese programs also need to continue on and not just stop after a certain period of time. They need to have a positive and helathy environment in order for them to gain anything out of these programs that might be getting developed.
I believe external pressures would be the most crucial. If your program isn't interesting enough, or not accomplishing the goal they want to achieve then youth won't want to be engaged. Peer pressure, gangs and drugs are good examples. Most of all youth just want to have a good time. Yes, some want to pursue the goal of your program, but that's a small number. If you can't connect with and engage them, you might as well call it school.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea Richard I really wouldn't have thought about that,thinking from an adult point of view,and not necessarily from the kids view. I think that the lack of parental involvement in the educational process is huge now. We have lots of parents that just send their kids to school as if it's day care. They never go to family events at the school. Barely attend parent-teacher conferences, and couldn't even tell you what classes the child is talking this semester. If there was a way to engage the whole family in the certain aspects of the program....Such as through surveys, family newsletters, family events(holiday party). Something that says we value your relationship with your child.A lot of programs ignore the family I don't think ours should.
ReplyDeleteWhat Richard said is very true. After talking to the students and asking them why they don't go to the boys and girls club as of now they say because it's not fun and there is nothing there that they like to do. We need to do events that they will enjoy as well as benefit from. And if we are going to have events on certian days we need to have a variety of things so everyone will want to participate in something. Since the kids are the ones going to the boys and girls club we need to know exactly what they like to do. Some days there should be fun events and the others should be educational and teach them things about life and surving as well as helping them better their grades.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous answers. As a child I had a very short attention span with things that weren't of my interest. So drawing off my prior experiences and from talking to the young man in class, lack of interest is the main reason so many kids don't go to the boys and girls club. In order to make a program proposal, kids should be interviewed to see what would get them to come to the boys and girls club first off. Then the people proposing the program should also ask kids what would keep them coming back to the boys and girls club. Listening is the key when trying to make a program proposal because kids want to feel listened to, and if they feel a program was implemented based on their goals, interests, and beliefs, they will have no problem going to the program.
ReplyDeleteIn talking with the young man in class, I learned of many things to keep the kids coming back to the boys and girls club such as: adults not punishing them so harshly, being able to receive help with homework, college students showing up (they feel they can better relate to us rather than the older adults there), icebreakers amongst the kids to form friendships easier and not have to make friends on their own etc.
The ideas for a program proposal are all out there within the kids' hearts and minds, we just have to take the time to listen to them and execute those ideas.
we seem scared of our own race when it comes to meeting people that could help lead us in the right direction. Like in class tuesday marques brought a few students from the community that were bad students at one point doing school, but because of his program they are elite students in the school now. Once children see that someone care they will realize it as they grow. We have to take the initiative to want better instead of being timid and realizing it late. We could start more program that will allow students to attend the Boys and Girls club by asking them what they want to do and who they want. Most of the gentlemen like sports and rap. we could bring rappers and athletes to the Club and have them share their experience of their journal of success so the young ones can endure and hear what they have to do.
ReplyDeleteWhen we talked to the boys they made it seem like the boys and girls club arent providing a wide range of activities for the kids. We have to take into consideration the type of kids were dealing with. Some kids are coming from single parent homes and others don't have their parents in their lives. So when we propose these programs it has to be something that they can relate to. You draw them in with a interesting program and then you have discussion relevant to the things they are dealing with. When proposing a program you definitely have to find a way to incorporate some type of encouragement. All of us in the Black Leadership class have a story for how we got where we are. Social issues definitely have to be considered when doing program proposal.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I feel the major social issue affecting young African Americans when it comes toward programming is simply the opportunity to be heard. Before the students came in to our class, we based the programs of our believe of what needs to be better in the society and current issues. However, those are valid points too but if we are making programs based on what the youth wants. They would most likely support and be in attendance.
ReplyDeletethere are a number of social issues but the most important may now be the amount of black youth straight out of 6th grade that are now having sex, this issue spreads and has become a problem on a broader level because it then become'S the cause of early pregnancy and then epidemics of STI's. ALSO the fact that the images projected on and throughout the media are promoting a non community. Ideas that propose a more positive community should be the basis of such programs
ReplyDeleteHigh school drop-out rates. Violence. These two social issues can be addressed with people that work in the program that actually (in Dr. P's terms) "Give a damn". My own personal experience, I watched 16 boys go to college. these boys were not the best in academics and most were the one's that people would put down and say they will not be anything in life. they were able to stay out of trouble, graduate from high school and move on to college because they had a basket ball coah that actually "gave a damn".
ReplyDeleteI think that all of these ideas are good points. After talking to the boys I learned that they would appreciate having the people who run the programs make it a fun experience for them. They didn't like the people who take it too serious and made them feel like they were in school (which is why they don't go to the Boys and Girls Club). They also don't want a staff who are too lenient and let them roam around doing whatever they please. That increases the chances of the kids bullying each other and getting into trouble. I think that if there is a happy medium in the structure of the activity that takes place in the program, it will help parents as well as kids be interested in joining.
ReplyDeleteOne social issues that I think that should be considered and must be overcome is the domestic life of these children. The simple fact of the matter is that the home life is not creating an atmosphere that is breeding excellence which is why these after school programs are so essential. With single parent home kids are being raised by older siblings/cousins because moms are working two jobs just to make ends meet. Another situation may be a parent that is unemployed who sits at home throughout the entire day doing absolutely nothing productive, which sets a precedent to the children that it is okay to come home after school and watch television all day without doing homework or any studying. Also some parents just can't help their children with homework, many parents are uneducated themselves and may not be capable of assisting their children with school work. The home life is not setting high standards for the children of this era. If we can remove these kids from a domestic life(if even for a short amount of time after school) that is doing more harm and than good to these kids and put them in a place that sets a high standard of excellence, we are already winning half the battle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike B. on this topic. While talking to the 6th graders, I realized that this is the age where children start to get curious about the other sex on a physical/emotional level. As a result of this, their values start to change and adapt, and as a result, their role models change as well and they start looking for people other than their parents to come to when searching for advice. I believe if children have people our age to talk to about why it's cool to do good in school, then they will feel like they can use us as role modes as they are growing in curiousity wiith the other sex. Sometimes children do things just to impress girls or to impress their friends. If they can be around us more and see how we interact with other women our age, then they will have a head start with seeing what type of personality is appropriate in order to become mature.
ReplyDeleteI believe that social issues do start at home and the environment that a child lives, which is previously stated, if the child is not brought up in a positive and motivating background that will effect their future endeavourers. As far as considering proposals for developing programs we have to keep in mind these kids interests and focus on being that positive and motivating atmosphere these kids need.
ReplyDeleteOne major aspect that should be focused on, is how that program will impact them in the future. A lot of programs today just focus on the present, which may be a good thing at the time, but doesn't so much show attention to what is really important. These programs need to help kids understand how responsibility grows as much as they do, so that they can be prepared for life in the future. Luckily enough, I do believe that there are programs that do exist, they just need to be followed upon by newer upcoming programs.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the program should not only focus on them as kids but also what could help them in the future. They need to benifit form these programs becuase they are the future, and they need to have a good pathway and guidence in order for them to be successful in the future. THese programs also need to continue on and not just stop after a certain period of time. They need to have a positive and helathy environment in order for them to gain anything out of these programs that might be getting developed.
ReplyDelete