David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH

Housekeeping  Materials  Bathroom location  Take care of yourself (eat, drink, stretch, etc.)  Please silence your cell phone

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH

The Active-Participatory Approach and the Youth Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Yes, all of it!

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH The Essence of the Active-Participatory Approach Young people can thrive when they feel SAFE and SUPPORTED to LEARN and LEAD.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH The Essence of the Active-Participatory Approach Young people can thrive when they feel SAFE and SUPPORTED to LEARN and LEAD.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Guiding Principles of the Approach  Promote Safety  Provide Positive Supports  Create Opportunities to Learn  Create Opportunities to Lead

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH The Essence of the Active-Participatory Approach Young people can thrive when they feel SAFE and SUPPORTED to LEARN and LEAD.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Promote SAFETY A strong foundation for quality youth work:  Physical Safety  Clean, free from hazards.  Special equipment when needed.  Basic needs taken care of – temperature, ventilation, lighting, food.  Emotional Safety  Structure and routines.  Consistent response to conflict.  Proactive policies to promote inclusion and integration.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Provide Positive SUPPORTS Establish strong relationships:  Positive, meaningful relationships.  between youth and adults.  among youth.  Developmental needs.  Asking appropriate questions.  Providing appropriate guidance.  Meet youth where they are.  Acknowledge their interests and experience.  Pay attention to changing moods and emerging abilities.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Create Opportunities to LEARN Improve skills through guided practice:  Adults as facilitators  Youth knowledge and experience is essential.  Adult knowledge and experience is essential.  Partnership between youth and adults.  Skill-building  Clear learning objectives and effective practice.  Different types of skills: cognitive, social, emotional.

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Create Opportunities to LEAD Increase youth engagement:  Youth Input  Ownership of rules and expectations  Constant feedback loop  Self-determination  Supporting confidence in autonomy and decisions  Promoting self-evaluation  Responsibility  Shared with adults and peers  Age-appropriate

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH The Active-Participatory Approach and the Youth Work Methods

David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality · INTRO TO THE ACTIVE-PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Thank you!  Lingering Questions?  Evaluations  Contact Us… 124 Pearl Street Suite 601 Ypsilanti, MI