Effects of a Fun Friday Intervention on Behavior of Elementary Students in an After School Program
Faculty Mentor Name
Erika Almazan
Research or Creativity Area
Other
Abstract
This project examines whether a structured “Fun Friday” intervention can improve student behavior among 4th-6th graders in a group of the ASES program at Claudia Landeen. Fellows randomly select and monitor 10 students over the course of the program. Using student chosen aliases to protect anonymity while allowing for individual tracking. Following each session one team member records the frequency of pro-social behaviors, anti-social behaviors, and significant incidents requiring adult intervention. Pro-social behaviors are defined as observable actions that reflect cooperation, this could be positive peer interaction and promoting participation. Anti-social behaviors include actions that disrupt activities, interfere with learning or participation, or negatively affect peers or staff. Incidents are defined as serious events that require intervention beyond routine redirection. The “Fun Friday” is based on the idea that engaging students in enjoyable Friday activities may function as a positive behavioral support by increasing motivation and reinforcing appropriate conduct, while also reducing reliance on punitive consequences. It is expected that over time participation in Fun Friday will be associated with an increase in pro-social behavior and a decrease in anti-social behavior and behavioral incidents.
Effects of a Fun Friday Intervention on Behavior of Elementary Students in an After School Program
This project examines whether a structured “Fun Friday” intervention can improve student behavior among 4th-6th graders in a group of the ASES program at Claudia Landeen. Fellows randomly select and monitor 10 students over the course of the program. Using student chosen aliases to protect anonymity while allowing for individual tracking. Following each session one team member records the frequency of pro-social behaviors, anti-social behaviors, and significant incidents requiring adult intervention. Pro-social behaviors are defined as observable actions that reflect cooperation, this could be positive peer interaction and promoting participation. Anti-social behaviors include actions that disrupt activities, interfere with learning or participation, or negatively affect peers or staff. Incidents are defined as serious events that require intervention beyond routine redirection. The “Fun Friday” is based on the idea that engaging students in enjoyable Friday activities may function as a positive behavioral support by increasing motivation and reinforcing appropriate conduct, while also reducing reliance on punitive consequences. It is expected that over time participation in Fun Friday will be associated with an increase in pro-social behavior and a decrease in anti-social behavior and behavioral incidents.
