Use a tangible object like a stick, a flower, a ball, or something important to the group to facilitate civil discussions and collaborative activities. Three rules are: 1) only the person with the item speaks, 2) all others focus on the person with the item in hand, and 3) anyone has the right to pass. …
A very simple communication and exploration exercise that can take place with youth and adults just about anywhere. Ideally, it would be used in a calm setting with all participants focused on the activity, such as at mealtime or bed time. Each person is asked to share a rose (the best, special, or most positive …
An international evidence-based K-8 classroom program (started in Canada in 1996), which has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. The “emotional literacy” taught in …
Teach youth that the writing process isn’t finished after the first draft. A good Revision Toolbox has tools that work with word choice, writing structures, and voice. Encourage youth to collect words and create their own thesaurus. Encourage them to experiment with time by using flashbacks or slow motion techniques. Teach them about character development …
Youth feel encouraged when you understand and respect their point of view. Express understanding for the youth’s thoughts and feelings. Show empathy without condoning, share a time when you have felt or behaved similarly, share your thoughts and feelings after fully listening to the youth and focus on solutions together. See: positivediscipline.com.
TWPG is an elaborative hands-on, youth-driven game/exercise. Founded in 2010, TWPG Foundation is dedicated to sharing the global mission of peace, developing self-awareness, and the life work of teacher John Hunter. It supports development of collaboration and communication skills for resolving and transforming conflicts, and the development of the skills of compromise, all while accommodating …
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a form of restorative practice and a problem-solving approach that focuses on relationships and building community. It is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community, instead of satisfying abstract principles or punishing the offender. Restorative practices counter …
When an incident occurs, youth can spend time in reflection by writing and identifying: a) what happened; b) what was my role in the problem?; c) what could I have done differently?; d) how was the other person/people feeling?; and e) what should I do now? Then they re-enter into a problem-solving process together. For …
In more diverse classrooms or other groups, have youth share their cultural heritage through music, food, literature, language, art and so on. Have each of the observers identify in these presentations: a) something they recognize or find familiar, b) something that surprised them or something new that they learned (absorb), and c) something that they …
Puzzles are a good way to encourage critical thinking with all ages of youth. In order to successfully complete a puzzle, they must work with both individual, disconnected parts, and a picture of the whole. Puzzles also require collaboration if done with a partner. They teach patience and persistence. In addition, puzzles are a great …
