scholarly journals Positive Youth Development Through Leisure: Confronting the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Vest Ettekal ◽  
Jennifer P. Agans

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in the lives of millions of people, including children and adolescents. Youth out-of-school time (OST) programs are essential ecological assets and their disruption during the pandemic may have a major impact on youth developmental pathways. Youth programs are one of the primary ways to promote positive youth development (PYD) and, in turn, develop healthy and thriving young adults who contribute positively to society. The pandemic raises the question of how to sustain developmentally oriented forms of youth leisure in times of crisis and, especially, how to support youth with few resources. Although there is considerable scientific evidence regarding the promotion of PYD through OST programs (e.g., sport, clubs, youth groups), public health initiatives to control the pandemic also curtail the delivery of such programs. Nevertheless, research on youth programs can be applied to help support PYD during the pandemic. In this commentary, we review key elements contributing to the effectiveness of youth development programs and provide ideas for how to sustain, adapt, and create these elements and bring them into unstructured leisure settings in the face of the pandemic. In doing so, we highlight particular challenges to implementation, surmise who may be most at risk, and present potential opportunities afforded by the unique situation. Throughout, we highlight innovative examples of adaptation exhibited in affected communities. We conclude with a call to action for researchers and practitioners to unite efforts to support PYD through leisure even in the face of crisis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Martinek ◽  
Michael A. Hemphill

Don Hellison fully realized that getting students to become positive contributors to their community meant that experiences that engender a greater sense of being a responsible person had to be provided. He leveraged the power of out-of-school time programming to implement his Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model and build relationships with variety of underserved youth. Don also understood that community partnerships were important in this effort. This article provides a glimpse at how Don was able to establish TPSR programs in a variety of out-of-school settings—all of which addressed the needs of underserved children and youth. A historical context is provided to illustrate the placement of TPSR in the broader movement of positive youth development. Don’s programs that operated during out-of-school time and spanned the western region of the country to the urban sections of Chicago are described. Inconsistent partner support, scarcity of program space, and feelings of self-doubt are presented as challenges to the viability of TPSR programming. His commitment to making programs work despite these challenges is portrayed. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to illustrate how Don’s work has made a significant contribution to the positive youth development movement within out-of-school time contexts.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-Jul ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibing Li ◽  
Neda Bebiroglu ◽  
Erin Phelps ◽  
Richard M. Lerner ◽  
Jacqueline V. Lerner

The relations in early adolescence among out-of-school-time activities and indicators of youth development were assessed through the use of 8th grade data from the longitudinal, 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions indicated that “hanging out” with friends without set plans and excessive media use were associated with lower behavioral engagement with school, lower academic achievement, and higher rates of risk behaviors. Youth who ate dinner with their family reported higher levels of emotional engagement, lower depression and risk behaviors, and better grades. Engagement in civic activities was associated with higher levels of emotional engagement. Behavioral and emotional engagement were both associated with better grades and lower depression. Emotional school engagement was also associated with lower rates of risk behaviors. Implications of the findings for evaluating the role of out-of-school-time activities and behavioral and/or emotional school engagement in academic achievement and youth development are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-195
Author(s):  
Jill Young

Youth Development Principles and Practices in Out-of-school Time Settings (Witt & Caldwell, 2018) is a comprehensive resource for students and professionals who work with youth in out-of-school time programs. The book weaves youth development theory and practice together so current and future practitioners can understand how to plan for, design, and evaluate youth programs that enable young people to thrive. Practitioners who work with adolescents will find the topics discussed relevant and the examples practical.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Worker ◽  
Anne M. Iaccopucci ◽  
Marianne Bird ◽  
Marcel Horowitz

A promising approach to support positive youth development is having adolescents serve as teachers for younger children. Through a qualitative interview study, we explored adolescents’ development in their role serving as teachers for younger elementary-age children during out-of-school time; programs were managed by the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. We interviewed 32 teenagers (median age 15; 27 female, 5 male) about their experiences, growth, and learning. Through consensus-based inductive thematic analysis, we identified 26 codes that we analytically sorted and found they aligned with the six indicators outlined by the Five Cs of the positive youth development model. Adolescents reported positive experiences and their own growth in competence, confidence, connection, caring, character, and contribution. Furthermore, data indicated that contributing in a meaningful way was developed in tandem with the other Cs.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mat D. Duerden ◽  
Ann Gillard

Although research suggests that positive contact with non-parental adults is developmentally beneficial for youth; many adolescents do not have access to such relationships. It is important that adults structure existing relationships to optimize positive youth development. Relationships with adults, who support youth’s needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence, provide youth with scaffolding as they navigate their way through adolescence. Self-Determination Theory offers a straight-forward approach to understanding the elements of contexts that best promote the development of supportive relationships. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature concerning youth-adult relationships, including their associated prevalence and developmental benefits across multiple contexts. These findings are then integrated into a framework of best practices for developing and supporting positive youth relationships with adults within youth program settings. Several theory-based recommendations are offered for youth program administrators and staff who wish to improve youth-adult relationships in their programs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Lerner ◽  
Jacqueline V. Lerner ◽  
Selva Lewin-Bizan ◽  
Edmond P. Bowers ◽  
Michelle J. Boyd ◽  
...  

Using the tripartite conception of positive youth development (PYD) suggested by Hamilton (1999) – as a developmental process, a philosophy or approach to youth programming, and as instances of youth programs and organizations focused on fostering the healthy or positive development of youth – we review different theoretical models of the developmental process involved in PYD. In addition, we review the ideas for and the features of youth development programs aimed at promoting PYD. We discuss the need for research interrelating different, theoretically-predicated measures of PYD and, as well, the importance of clear links between models of the PYD developmental process and of the youth development programs seeking to enhance PYD among diverse youth. We discuss several conceptual and practical problematics that must be addressed in order to integrate the three facets of PYD scholarship.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-225
Author(s):  
T. Nigel Gannon

Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School Time: Foundations and Futures (Delaney & Moroney, 2018) offers a rich volume of experiences and voices of leadership in social and emotional learning (SEL) in out-of-school time (OST) settings. From various vantage points and with unique voices, the chapters address all stages of intentional SEL programming, including progress made in the field in clarifying and measuring the strength of SEL outcomes and identifying needed professional development. This is an important resource for students and practitioners of positive youth development, SEL, and OST learning environments. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (13) ◽  
pp. 199-218
Author(s):  
Gil G. Noam ◽  
Ashima Mathur Shah

This chapter highlights the fit between youth-development-oriented programming and informal science activities in out-of-school time (OST) and illustrates how science and youth development can and should co-occur. The clover model and Dimensions of Success tool are introduced as lenses for designing and assessing science program quality in OST. “While both the afterschool and science fields are at a crossroads, association with the other enhances the potential for each to flourish.” ∼Lucy Friedman (2005)


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