Complementary Learning: A New Look at an Old Idea?

Providing additional learning opportunities for children and youth has taken on different terms of late. Whether it is called "extended, expanded or extra learning opportunities", or "complementary learning", the intention is clear - children and youth learn in different ways and in different environments all throughout the day.

What is promising is that researchers, policymakers and funders are grappling with what these means in today's society and are beginning to collect research and write about how best to foster different types of learning experiences.

To learn more about the exciting efforts that are occurring all across the country, check out the section on the The Harvard Family Research Project's Complementary Learning web site.

Building the Future of Family Involvement: Harvard Family Research Project's View

Many of you have talked about the challenges of getting parents and other caregivers involved in your afterschool efforts. Fortunately for us, the Harvard Family Research Project has been thinking about this too. Their recent Spring 2008 newsletter focuses on this issue and provides all of us with the latest research and strategies concerning this important topic. To read more, click on the highlighted link:Issue Topic: Building the Future of Family Involvement

You can also subscribe to their free newsletter which regularly provides providers and policymakers with cutting edge information on what works for children and youth in their afterschool hours.