Afterschool Webinar:

About this webinar:

Over the past several decades, research has fundamentally changed our understanding of how adolescents—young people ages 10 to 25—develop, grow, and learn. Changes in brain structure and function that occur during adolescence afford young people a remarkable capacity to learn, adapt to changes, and explore their own creativity. Adolescent brains are specially tailored to meet the needs of this stage of life, allowing them to explore new environments and build new relationships with the world and people around them.

However, just like younger children, adolescents need supportive environments and relationships with adults to thrive. This sensitive period in life requires alignment between the strengths of adolescents, like their increased independence, flexible problem solving skills, and openness to new experiences, with resources available in their environments, including access to positive opportunities outside of school as well as positive social interactions and relationships with peers and adults.

Afterschool is an important opportunity to support adolescents by creating settings and supports that allow them to thrive and make meaningful contributions to the world around them. In this webinar, participants will explore the principles of adolescent development and identify ways that they can be applied in afterschool programs.

Speakers:

• Nancy E. Hill, Ph.D., Charles Bigelow Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Emily Backes, JD, MA, Program Officer, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• Dan Gilbert, Sr. Project Manager, SEL Specialist, Afterschool Alliance (Moderator)

Resources:

• Webinar Slide Deck
• Report: The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth
• Report Highlights
• Opportunities for the Education Sector
• Interactive Webpage: The Promise of Adolescence
• More Information and Resources