Parents, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who interact with youth hold the future in their hands.

Young people experience very important developmental milestones during childhood and adolescence that shape the adults they become. Human bodies and brains grow and mature quickly throughout the early years of life, and youth experience cognitive, emotional, and social development that allows them to be helpful and productive adults in the future.

Youth development is highly influenced by the environment around them. Environments that are particularly influential for youth development include the school, community, and home because youth spend a lot of time in these places. Within these environments, youth are exposed to a variety of risk and protective factors. Risk factors block healthy development in youth, and protective factors support healthy development in youth. A solid understanding of risk and protective factors in the school, community, and home allows us to intentionally raise healthy and happy kids.

In the school, youth might encounter a broad range of related, but unique, risk factors. To begin, schools need basic resources such as pens/pencils, comfortable desks, and computers. A lack of material resources can prevent youth from learning in developmentally-appropriate ways. Additionally, some youth come to school hungry, which also prevents them from concentrating and learning fully.

Youth might have mental health difficulties that prevent them from exceling in school without special support. Youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder often have difficulty sitting still or paying attention in class, which limits the amount of information they learn and retain. Youth with depression or anxiety might have difficulty concentrating in school or might not be able to complete their academic assignments fully. School counselors typically have contact names and phone numbers for local community centers, after-school programs, and professional mental health counselors. Parents, teachers, and school counselors can help address youth mental health needs by having open, nonjudgmental conversations and offering support to one another.

As a final consideration for the school setting, youth need to be sufficiently challenged. That is, parents and teachers must believe that youth can learn and succeed in school. Youth who are not challenged by their parents or teachers perceive that they are not smart enough to be expected to do well. However, youth who are challenged in school learn that they are smart and they can achieve difficult goals. Overall, youth need to be supported by older adolescents and adults in order to learn the skills they need for happy lives.

Youth need a high amount of positive social interaction and stimulation to support their cognitive, interpersonal, and emotional development in the community. Youth who have difficulty in the home or school are especially in need of healthy and supportive community resources. If youth feel disconnected from their families, neighborhood peers, or community members, they might act out in unhelpful ways, such bullying other kids, disobeying rules or laws, using drugs, or becoming violent. Ultimately, youth who display inappropriate or unhelpful behaviors are often hurting inside and looking for ways to express their feelings.

After-school programs and community centers can offer a healthy setting for youth to learn and grow. Parents, caregivers, and other interested community members can also work to find low-cost ways to provide youth with a healthy outlet for social connection and self-expression, such as creating an informal basketball league that meets in the park after school, or a hosting a weekly youth night at their church. Overall, youth who have healthy relationships, positive role models, and fun hobbies will experience healthier social/emotional development than youth who lack these protective factors.

Factors at home

Youth spend a great deal of time in the home setting, and the home should serve as a safe space for young people to learn about themselves while feeling supported and loved.

Consistency is key for children. If youth know what to expect in their home settings, they can focus on the many developmental hurtles they must overcome (e.g., making friends, exceling in school, becoming comfortable with their bodies, dating). Parents should set boundaries for their children and reinforce these boundaries at all times.

With the support and effort of community members and school personnel, we can create an optimal environment for youth development.

The information in this article was adapted from a textbook that will be co-authored by Victoria Kress, Matthew Paylo, and Nicole Stargell. More information about risk and protective factors for youth can be found at www.search-institute.org

Nicole Stargell

https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Nicole-Stargell-Picture.jpgNicole Stargell

Nicole Stargell

Mental health awareness

This mental health awareness column was written by Nicole Stargell, a licensed professional pounselor, a licensed school counselor, and an assistant professor at UNCP.