School-Age Matters

School-age children have a specific set of developmental needs that are different from younger children. Child care providers will learn the skills needed to effectively adapt their programs to accommodate this age group.

Training Credit

  • 10 hours

Training Audience

  • Child Care Centers (CCC) and preschools
  • Child Development Homes (CDH)

i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry

Iowa's Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR) is a comprehensive registry where you can find and enroll in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved professional development opportunities related to early childhood and school-age professionals. It will also maintain a record of your professional achievements. Approved training opportunities can be accessed by visiting i-PoWeR below.

i-PoWeR Link

Training Narrative

Session 1: Human Relationships and Quality Interactions

Discover why building strong relationships with families and children is important and how to communicate effectively. Topics will include information about appropriate communication techniques when interacting with children, co-workers and families, strategies for working in multi-age groups, as well as appropriate professional behavior and dress code for school-age caregivers.

Session 2: Healthy and Safe Environments

Explore the health/safety and environments of school-age child care. Topics will include information about supervision, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, health records, medication administration, as well as special health care needs.

Session 3: Child Growth and Development

Explore typical and atypical growth and development of school-age children discussing the vital role of observation and assessing play in school-age programming. Topics will include information about growth and developmental benchmarks, functions of the brain, observation and assessment techniques and tools, the importance of mental health in a school-age program, as well as school-age guidance techniques.

Session 4: Program Planning and Activities

Explore the multiple aspects of successful curriculum planning in school-age programs and reflect on how observation and assessment play a vital role in deciding the developmentally appropriate activities for school-age children. Topics will include information about creating a stimulating and fun environment, implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum, as well as evaluating age-appropriate physical, social/emotional and cognitive program curricula and activities.

Session 5: Ethics in School-age Care

Explore the statement, “Why we do what we do every day?” and discuss why ethics and training is so important in the school-age child care field. Topics will include analyzing the tie between professional development and leadership qualities, reflecting on the importance of training, evaluating how to motivate self and school-age staff, as well as identifying bullying and what can be done.