Youth Unveiled: Decoding the Stages of Growth and of Thriving Futures

Format

Workshop

Presenters

Tycee Prevatt, University of FloridaFollow
Kristie Popa, University of FloridaFollow

First Presenter's Institution

University of Florida

First Presenter’s Email Address

tyceerprevatt@ufl.edu

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Tycee Prevatt works for the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, as a tenured faculty member in the Glades County Extension Office in the program area of 4-H Youth Development and is the Glades County Extension Director. Tycee graduated from the University of Florida in 1994 with her Dairy Management degree and, in 2014, received a master’s degree in Agricultural Extension and Education from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration. She works to provide a quality youth development program for kids ages 5-18 through traditional 4-H Community Clubs and school enrichment programming.

Second Presenter's Institution

University of Florida

Second Presenter’s Email Address

kpopa@ufl.edu

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Kristie Popa is a 4-H Agent in Charlotte County, Florida. Growing up in 4-H, her passion for the organization started at a young age. After graduating from High School, Kristie attended Florida Gulf Coast University and received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. After teaching 4th grade at a local Elementary School, Kristie became a 4-H Extension Agent. Since then, Kristie has received her Master's degree in Agricultural Education and Communication and a Certificate in Instructional Design. She is currently pursuing her EdD in Educational Leadership at Florida State University.

Location

Session Nine

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

The concept of Positive Youth Development (PYD) encompasses grasping the developmental journey of young individuals and tailoring practices to their age for optimal growth. By focusing on youth's distinct "ages and stages," can provide insights into effective techniques to involve them in activities. This approach is instrumental in closing achievement gaps and promoting inclusive learning. By aligning activities with developmental phases, the program ensures meaningful experiences that nurture skills and confidence. This not only empowers youth but also addresses disparities by fostering equitable learning opportunities.

Brief Program Description

Explore Positive Youth Development's focus on aligning youth development with age-appropriate practices for maximum benefit from opportunities. Join us to understand the stages of youth growth and learn effective techniques to engage them in activities.

Summary

This proposal highlights the emphasis of Positive Youth Development (PYD) on tailoring youth development approaches to match their age-specific needs, ensuring they derive the utmost advantage from available opportunities. PYD's core principle of aligning developmental practices with appropriate age stages is the cornerstone of this proposal. It recognizes that youth development is not uniform across ages, and therefore, tailoring approaches to each stage is essential for their optimal growth. By participating, attendees can delve into the "ages and stages" concept, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the distinct phases of youth growth. Moreover, the program introduces novel techniques and strategies for effectively engaging young individuals in various activities, ensuring their active participation and development.

The proposal aligns seamlessly with the conference's preference for practical, actionable content. It emphasizes providing attendees with valuable "take home" learning opportunities, aiming to equip them with tangible insights that can be readily applied to their work. This approach is further aligned with the conference's guidelines that prohibit any form of commercial promotion, ensuring that the presentation remains focused on practical methodologies rather than promotional endeavors.

Evidence

Several organizations have conducted research on and found evidence for the importance of understanding "ages and stages" in positive youth development. Here are a few notable organizations:

1. **Search Institute:** Search Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to understanding and promoting the developmental assets that children and adolescents need to succeed. They have conducted extensive research on developmental stages and assets, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these stages for positive youth development.

2. **National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):** NIDA, a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, conducts research on substance abuse and its impact on youth. They have highlighted the significance of developmental stages in designing prevention and intervention programs to mitigate the risk of substance abuse among young individuals.

3. **The Forum for Youth Investment:** This organization focuses on promoting the positive development of young people. They emphasize the importance of considering developmental stages in designing effective youth programs, policies, and practices to support positive outcomes.

4. **Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence:** Based at the University of Colorado Boulder, this center conducts research on violence prevention among youth. They emphasize the role of age-appropriate strategies and interventions in addressing risk factors and promoting positive behaviors.

5. **Annie E. Casey Foundation:** This foundation focuses on improving the lives of children and families in the United States. They emphasize the importance of understanding developmental stages to create effective policies and programs that support youth development.

6. **The Child Trends:** Child Trends is a research organization that provides insights into child development and well-being. They have conducted research on various aspects of youth development, highlighting the importance of addressing developmental stages for positive outcomes.

7. **American Psychological Association (APA):** APA conducts research on various psychological aspects, including child and adolescent development. They emphasize the significance of understanding developmental stages in designing interventions and promoting positive mental health among youth.

8. **Youth Development Institute:** This organization focuses on research and advocacy related to youth development. They emphasize the importance of age-appropriate practices in fostering positive outcomes and providing opportunities for young people to thrive.

These organizations and many others have contributed valuable research and evidence on the importance of recognizing and addressing developmental stages in positive youth development. Their work underscores the significance of tailored approaches for maximizing the potential of young individuals and promoting their overall well-being.

Learning Objective 1

Learn what Positive Youth Development is and how that related to the programming needs of youth.

Learning Objective 2

Learn how the developmental stages and ages of youth effect their ability to engage, think, and react to situations and activities.

Learning Objective 3

3. Gain knowledge on how to plan age appropriate activities for youth through hands-on examples,

Keyword Descriptors

Positive Youth Development, Ages and Stages

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-6-2024 11:15 AM

Recommended Citation

Prevatt, Tycee and Popa, Kristie, "Youth Unveiled: Decoding the Stages of Growth and of Thriving Futures" (2024). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 92.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2024/2024/92