Shaping Positive Summertime Experiences for All Youth to Promote Healthy Development

• Main Authors: Rebekah Hutton, Priyanka Nalamada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2020-06-01
• Series: Journal of Youth Development
• Subjects: summer; summertime; summer programs; development
• Online Access: http://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/948

Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth was released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in September 2019. This multidisciplinary committee authored report examines evidence on outcomes of summertime experiences for children and youth in 4 areas of well-being: (a) academic learning and enrichment, (b) social and emotional development, (c) physical and mental health, and (d) safety, risk-taking, and pro- and anti-social behaviors. Using a systems perspective, the committee looked at how social, physical, and economic environments interact to promote or limit access for children and youth to opportunities for positive development, healthy behaviors, safety, and well-being during the summer. The committee’s recommendations are intended to improve planning, administration, and coordination of summertime programs and services, improving availability, access, and equity of summertime programs; and advancing data collection efforts.