Put the quiet participant into the planning picture.

Put the quiet participant into the planning picture.

Planning out-of-school time means thinking about people, space, supplies, and the way the day moves. You may be leading activities, supporting staff, or arranging the next session. Start with the group in front of you. Their ages, interests, access needs, and daily routines should help shape your choices.

OST Essentials offers The Out-of-School-Time Playbook as a free download, plus a free call.

Identify a part of the session where youth can make a real choice. The options should both be possible within the time, materials, and supervision available. Explain any boundaries clearly before asking for input. Avoid offering a choice that the team has already decided it cannot honor.

Invite responses in ways that suit the group. Some children may speak readily, while others may need a quieter way to share an idea. Consider access needs when you plan the options. Once the choice is made, explain the next step so the group knows how to begin. At the end, ask what they noticed or would change. Use that feedback as information for future planning without promising that every suggestion can be used.

Bring the question to the staff who share the session. Compare your view with what they observed, and agree on who handles the next action. Keep that action within the program rules and the resources actually available.

Imagine offering an appropriate role with time to observe first. Consider how this would look in your own setting. Which part fits, and which part needs more thought? Keep a brief note of what you want to ask. You can return to that note when you have time to think it through.

Start with the free download, or bring your questions to a free call. Choose the next step that fits what you want to explore. Download the guide or choose a free call: https://earningenterprises.com/lp.php?p=OST