Boys & Girls Club Blog

June 30, 2025

Megan Perri, who joined our team earlier this year, serves as the Director of Character Development. In this vital role, she supports Club members by promoting Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and implementing effective behavior management strategies.

Megan works closely with individual members, observing their daily behavior to better understand each child’s unique needs. Based on these observations, she develops personalized goals tailored to their developmental stage and behavioral challenges. These goals can vary widely—from using safe hands to practicing appropriate walking behavior indoors.

Each week, Megan meets one-on-one with children to check in on their progress, celebrate wins, and make any necessary adjustments. She also partners with parents throughout the process, ensuring consistency between Club and home environments. This ongoing collaboration helps reinforce positive behaviors across all areas of a child’s life.

Some children benefit from visual tools like smiley charts or behavior trackers, which are shared with parents to help spark meaningful conversations on the way home or later in the evening. To keep motivation high, Megan uses positive reinforcement. As kids make progress toward their goals, they might earn fun rewards like extra air hockey time, fruit snacks, or bonus time in the learning center.

One powerful trend Megan has noticed in recent months is that more children are learning to self-advocate. Many now express when they need a break—a huge step in developing emotional awareness. Club members are taught to place their hands on their heads as a quiet, nonverbal signal, which all program staff are trained to recognize.

When a child signals the need for a break, they can visit the Zen Den—a calm, welcoming space designed for emotional regulation. Megan often joins them there to help process their emotions, reflect on what they’re feeling, and build healthy coping skills.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see our kids develop self-awareness, recognizing how their feelings and actions impact themselves and others,” Megan shared. “Giving them the tools to manage their emotions is one of the most important ways we can help them succeed.”