09.23.08

How to Assess and Promote Positive Self-Perceptions Among Youth

Children tend to experience a decline in positive views about themselves in early adolescence, and negative self-perceptions are associated with problems such as drug use and depression. This Child Trends brief examines the views that children and adolescents have of themselves; provides information on how to assess these self-perceptions; and suggests ways to foster positive self-perception in early adolescents. The brief describes the signs of low self-worth in early adolescence, and offers techniques to help combat negative views among youth.
http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2008_08_20_RB_SelfConcept.pdf

05.30.08

Report: What Makes a Quality After-School Program for Preteens

Preteen Alliance members, particularly those who work in an after-school setting, may be interested to know about a new report commissioned by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health and produced by Public/Private Ventures, Putting It All Together: Guiding Principles for Quality After-School Programs Serving Preteens. This report identifies six characteristics of quality after-school programs that are linked to positive outcomes for preteens. The full report and a companion Online Resource Guide (detailed below) are available at http://www.lpfch.org/afterschool.

04.17.08

Promoting Positive Preteen Development

In general, the more exposure preteens have to positive experiences and support during out-of-school time, the better they will fare developmentally, research shows. This brief from Child Trends examines the impact that activities such as regular family dinners and structured after-school programs can have on a preteen's development.
http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2008_02_27_PositiveYouthDev.pdf

03.18.08

Luncheon Addresses Why Parents Should Talk to Preteens About Drinking

The message at a Preteen Alliance luncheon held March 3 was clear – start talking before kids start drinking. Our speakers, David Mineta, deputy director of Asian American Recovery Services, and Mary Bier, coordinator of the Partnership for a Safe and Healthy Pacifica, discussed a tragic alcohol-related accident that prompted Pacifica to organize a community-wide effort to prevent substance abuse among youth. Read a complete re-cap of the session, including handouts from our speakers and links to additional tips and resources for how to talk to preteens about this topic>>

03.18.08

Study: Early Alcohol Use Can Lead to Increased Risk of Violence, Suicide

Youth who start drinking alcohol before age 13 are more likely to attempt suicide and engage in violent behavior than preteens who do not drink, according to a study published in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics. Efforts to delay or reduce alcohol use in the preteen years could lead to reduced rates of violence and suicide attempts, researchers conclude.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/2/297

03.18.08

What Worries Preteens?

Preteens are most worried about the health of a loved one, their own future, and schoolwork, according to a poll conducted by KidsHealth, a project of the Nemours Foundation. Of the more than 1,100 9- to 13-year-olds surveyed, 23 percent said they talk to a parent when they feel worried about something, and 20 percent said they try to fix it on their own. The preteens surveyed also cited their appearance, making mistakes, and their friends' problems as other frequent worries. The poll was conducted among children at health education centers, mostly in the Midwest.
http://kidshealth.org/media/kidspoll/worry.html

02.14.08

Girls Reaching Puberty Sooner, Research Shows

Puberty among girls is starting at an earlier age than ever before, experts say, and is now considered normal beginning at age 8. Experts are unsure what has caused the shift, but say chemicals in the environment, stress, and increasing rates of childhood obesity could be factors. Doctors say it is unclear whether earlier puberty will have long-term health effects, but it has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.