Simple Interactions: An Innovative Approach to Out-of-School Time Staff Professional Development

• In Event: Supporting and Strengthening After-School Programs

Abstract

Abstract
This study describes the piloting of Simple Interactions (SI) – a new professional development strategy for adults who work with children – in afterschool settings. This approach consists of workshops in which staff watch short video clips of themselves interacting with youth in their program. After watching the clips, program staff and SI trainers engage in strengths-based conversation about specific components of developmental interactions: (1) connection, (2) reciprocity, (3) progression, and (4) participation. We piloted SI with staff (N=20) from five afterschool programs and through the blind coding of pre/post video clips found that staff made significant improvements in their interactions. Staff reported overwhelmingly that they enjoyed the SI process and that it was valuable to their work.

Authors

• Kelly Marie Martin, University of Pittsburgh

• Christy Suzanne Galletta Horner, University of Pittsburgh

• Thomas Akiva, University of Pittsburgh

• Annie McNamara, University of Pittsburgh