The program gives children enough time to do the things they want to do and it encourages imaginative, self-directed play within an environment of respect and fairness. A good program gives children the opportunity to master new skills by providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for children to learn. It gives children challenges but the leaders do not expect perfection. All children feel like winners because personal bests and improvement are stressed over winning, children s individual strengths are appreciated and children are encouraged through positive reinforcement. To encourage an experience of success, rules are often simplified for younger children.
Friends help introduce children to the world beyond their family.
A positive relationship with a friend can help children overcome other problems in their lives. A good program is one in which children learn each other s names, teasing and name calling are not tolerated, diversity is supported and celebrated and children learn to share and cooperate. A special relationship with an adult can help children overcome adversity and provide a positive template for future relationships. In a good program the leader knows the children s names, looks the children in the eye, greets the children on arrival and departure, smiles and talks with them. Joint child-parent activities have a strong relationship with satisfaction, interaction and stability.