This practical introduction combines child development theory with issues pertinent to out-of-school care for children and youth. It is thefirst text to provide in-depth coverage of all the major program concerns of care providers, including professional issues in out-of-school child and youth care, developmental theories, social and emotional needs, characteristics of the environment of after-school care, programming, activities and curriculum, family and community involvement, and program involvement and accreditation. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.