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After-school youth development programs: a developmental-ecological model of current research.
Nathaniel R Riggs1, Mark T Greenberg
1The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
|January 14, 2005
Summary
After-school programs are increasingly popular, but their impact on child development varies. Research should examine individual child needs and program specifics for optimal benefits.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Educational Psychology
- Program Evaluation
Background:
- Growing investment in after-school programs lacks understanding of their developmental impact.
- Child heterogeneity suggests varied needs for after-school support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors influencing benefits of after-school programs for diverse children.
- To identify optimal after-school program characteristics for specific youth needs.
Main Methods:
- Review of developmental and contextual factors.
- Discussion of ecological and developmental perspectives for program evaluation.
- Emphasis on improved research designs and detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- Individualized approaches are crucial due to child heterogeneity.
- Specific program types and services differentially benefit children.
- Ecological and developmental perspectives enhance evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding which children benefit most from after-school programs requires nuanced research.
- Tailoring programs to individual needs and contexts is essential for maximizing positive developmental outcomes.