Positive Youth Development Through Teenagers-as-Teachers Programs

A promising approach to support positive youth development is having adolescents serve as teachers for younger children. Through a qualitative interview study, this study explored adolescents’ development in their role serving as teachers for younger elementary-age children during out-of-school time; programs were managed by the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program.The authors interviewed 32 teenagers (median age 15; 27 female, 5 male) about their experiences, growth, and learning.

Adolescents reported positive experiences and their own growth in competence, confidence, connection, caring, character, and contribution.