AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT DEFINE CORE VALUES


 

How can you as an educator create values that last?

How to push for the beauty of holding values such as passion, persistence, compassion and responsibility?

There can be no simple answers to it.

The challenge is to weave a set of core values into the fabric of your program. Core values enable you as an institution and a community to stay focused on what's important. They act as a mirror to your decision making and is a guide to your behaviour and action.

Here are some approaches that may work for you - 

 

IDENTIFY YOUR CORE VALUES

As an instructor, you may frequently be called upon to make decisions, resolve conflicts, solve problems or work through dilemmas. Having core values acts as the pole star that offers you a consistent direction. And this applies not just to teachers and instructions at school. It’s just as equally important a tool for parents. Having core values can offer a safe landing ground when confliction question arises in your little one's mind.

 

CONCENTRATE ON A SPECIFIC AREA

Transforming an institution to exemplify an array of values is a daunting task. So it would be wiser to break it up into smaller fragments that you can more easily manage. Choose your time frame for implementation (a month, a year etc.) and focus on one core value at a time. A different approach can be to focus on a specific area of the school or institution. It may be something physical like the cafeteria, the hallways and the playground or you can focus on procedural areas like curriculum, conflict resolution, class routines, traditions and ceremonies etc.  

 

PUT STUDENT INTERPRETATIONS OF CORE VALUES ON DISPLAY
Utilise every opportunity you get to display art projects, writing assignments or holiday work that ties to your institution’s core values. For instance, you can start by showing a set of core values your institution offers and ask students to write his/her interpretation of them on given pieces of fabric. This can later be attached to a banner and be up for permanent display at the main lobby. Making values last is a challenging task because it’s like taking aim on a moving target. Each year a fresh batch of students will arrive and an old batch will exit. You will have to be prepared to inculcate those values onto these new souls all over again. It’s a continuous process but it really helps when you have a set of values and a marked mission and vision in mind.   

 

It may seem like a daunting task but it’s up to you to identify the values you can offer. Whether you are a big institution, just a kindergarten or an after-school program, you got to have your set of core values. In fact, it’s becoming even more vital for after school programs nowadays because we are entering a generation where most kids have working parents. They rely heavily on after-school programs post the school hours. Parents need to see that you can add values in their kids’ life. Find your values. It could be anything. For instance, it was taking ‘small steps’ rather than giant leaps for Kumon. This was born out of the understanding that a child should be given their own mental space to strengthen their academic abilities. It’s about the understanding that you aren’t supposed to push your child but only nudge them in the right direction to attain proper learning. Discover your values and you’ll add values to so many lives.

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