The Potential of Restorative Practices for Child and Adolescent Development

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

Restorative practices are increasingly being implemented in schools, justice systems, and communities in the Western hemisphere. A “restorative” approach is differentially defined and implemented, but generally focuses on building community, restoring and repairing relationships, and communal and inclusive ways of addressing harm. Its growth and development have come partly in response to evidence and activism highlighting the problematic developmental impacts of punitive, zero tolerance policies, particularly on Black, Brown, and Indigenous children. Implementation of restorative practices in schools has shown to have positive impacts on discipline, climate, and belonging. Work with juvenile justice systems similarly prioritizes implementation (e.g., successful mediations), behavioral outcomes (e.g., re-referral rates), and perceptions of adults who work with these youth. These evidence bases clearly demonstrate potential for positively influencing child development, and particularly addressing systemic inequities. Still, within the current literature, there is room to continue to expand on the developmental science of restorative practices, particularly with a focus on the experience of it by Black, Brown, and Indigenous children. Underexplored questions include why children and adolescents actually engage with restorative practices, what psychosocial challenges inhibit their engagement, and how they process the experience? In this roundtable, we bring together perspectives from social, developmental, and moral psychology, as well as experts who have engaged with practitioners in various settings to discuss gaps in developmental understandings of restorative practices and how insights from other areas of study can illuminate areas for exploration to further promote racial justice and positive psychological and social outcomes.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Moderator

• Holly E Recchia, Concordia University

Panelists

• Gabriel Velez, Marquette University

• Allison Ann Payne, Villanova University

• Laura Pareja Conto, Concordia University

• Brenda Morrison, Simon Fraser University