The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) developed a set of core knowledge, skills, and competencies that identify the foundational areas professionals need to develop in order to effectively support school-age children and youth. The list below highlights key competency areas that support high-quality, developmentally appropriate practice with school-age children and youth. Review this overview with your trainer, coach, or administrator to deepen your understanding of each competency and discuss how these areas can inform and strengthen your daily work. Use this conversation to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth in your current or future practice.

Child/Youth Development and Growth

• Understand basic benchmarks for growth and development.
• Adapt activities to meet school-agers needs at each stage of development.
• Recognize individual differences in needs, temperaments, abilities, and development.

Creating Effective Learning Environments

• Design environments that promote creativity, learning, and peer relationships.
• Scaffold learning experiences and engage actively with children and youth.
• Employ schedules, routines, and structured transitions.

Observing and Assessing Children and Youth

• Observe and assess to identify individual interests, strengths, and areas of need.
• Collect and organize data to measure child and youth outcomes.
• Consider observation and assessment of information when planning curricula, programming, and referrals.

Building Relationships With Children and Youth

• Foster respectful relationships through active listening, clear communication, and empathy.
• Set realistic expectations of child and youth behavior.
• Guide behavior in positive, developmentally appropriate ways.

Empowering Children and Youth Through Engagement and Choice

• Value youth voice and encourage self-expression.
• Encourage participation in decision-making to build ownership and confidence.
• Promote child-initiated and youth-led planning and learning.
• Work with youth to create opportunities for youth leadership and input.

Promoting Fairness and Belonging

• Create welcoming environments where all children and youth feel valued and respected.
• Use people-first language and avoid labeling children, youth, and adults.
• Ensure accessibility and provided needed accommodations.

Collaborating With Families, Schools, and Communities

• Recognize families as central to development.
• Communicate respectfully and positively with families.
• Protect children, youth, and family confidentiality.
• Listen to and value families’ choices, feedback, and perspectives.
• Partner with appropriate school staff and community members to better meet the individual needs of children and youth and support families.

Ensuring Safety and Wellness

• Follow health and safety regulations and policies, including those regarding the inclusion of children and youth of all abilities.
• Promote physical and emotional safety through healthy routines and practices.
• Promote mental health, normalize access to services, and adapt environments to ensure safety for all.
• Design, assess, and modify environments and procedures to protect the health of all children, youth, and adults.

Program Design and Continuous Improvement

• Plan programming based on the needs, interests, and feedback of children and youth.
• Understand that laws, regulations, and professional and quality standards align daily practices with the program’s philosophy, mission, policies, and procedures.
• Use data and evaluation information to guide ongoing improvements.

Responsibility & Ethical Conduct

• Understand and adhere to ethical standards and maintain confidentiality.
• Model a positive and respectful attitude when working with children, youth, and others.
• Interact with others in a respectful manner aligned to program culture and expectations.

Ongoing Professional Growth and Leadership

• Understand professional development requirements of the field and regulating bodies and essential competencies.
• Commit to ongoing learning and model leadership to strengthen your practice and team.
• Engage in continuous professional development.
• Stay informed of current news, data trends, and emerging research that impact children and youth and their families.
• Participate actively in professional associations and/or informal networks with others in youth development and related fields.
• Recognize the importance of leadership skills, self-advocacy, and being a voice to support children, youth, and families.

Adapted from: National Afterschool Association. (2021). Core Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies for Out-of-School Time Professionals.