Vary instructional strategies to develop the whole brain. Provide youth multiple sources of input including books, videos, lectures, discussions, visuals, stories and songs. Allow youth multiple avenues of output and ways to present knowledge, including essays, presentations, plays, dances, and songs. Change instructional strategies frequently.
This is more than just hearing what someone else is saying. Active listening builds trust and ensures that the other person in a conversation knows they are being heard. It allows the listener to learn about the world and to understand the lives, experiences, and beliefs that differ from their own. Active listening also teaches …
Encourage individuals to perform a kind and selfless act for another person, be it someone known or unknown, with the only purpose being to brighten or improve the recipient’s day in some way. Kind acts can be spontaneous or planned, but they should not be expectant of any return to the giver. (See also: Kindness …
A fun and physical activity that encourages teamwork and collaboration. You will need an even number of youth to participate, ideally close to 10. Find a straight line on the ground (or make one with tape) and have all youth stand on the line. Number each person in standing order from 1-10. The object of …
An activity for “peace within and between” that focuses on negative self-talk, negative thoughts and statements about others, and complaining. A good idea is to have youth commit to this activity for at least one full day, and even longer if possible. All that is needed is a large quantity of paper clips. Explain to …
Using bigger than, less than, or equal signs, role-play different scenarios the youth face on a day to day basis to evaluate whether or not a situation feels “equal.” If the situation doesn’t feel equal have them use, write, or state the bigger than or less than sign to determine who holds the power. Have …
An idea born in 2006 that works very well with young children, in which a bucket represents your mental and emotional self. When your bucket is full, you feel confident, secure, calm, patient and kind. When your bucket is empty, you feel sad, negative, insecure, nervous, and even angry. Having an empty bucket can cause …
Create laminated pictures or drawings of various needs and wants, or have the items on hand. Have youth toss the items in a “want” bucket and a “need” bucket. Once the items are in the buckets, have them gather the wants and needs separately into two categories, writing them out or drawing them. Next, have …
A simple idea to eliminate loneliness and isolation and foster friendship and inclusion on the playground or in any public space. They work best when the bench is clearly identified as such, to stand out from other simple benches. It becomes a safe space for a young person to sit when they may need help, …
It is really important to celebrate both small and large successes, honor the people involved, maintain momentum, and continue to inspire improvement. Remember to build celebrations into your budget and calendar, and make them fun and engaging.
Revisit an event that ended with a less than desirable outcome. Encourage youth to create their own alternative endings. Why did they make the choices that they made? How have the outcomes changed positively as a result of those choices? What was difficult about those choices?
Establish age appropriate shared jobs that rotate throughout the year and that will help build the classroom or home environment. Create a classroom or family chore chart that presents the chores as caring and leadership rather than a burden. Chores can contribute to self-sufficiency as well as community and harmony in the home or classroom. …
