Follow What Has Heart and Meaning
Working with children and youth cannot be successful if you don’t have an authentic interest in working with them and acting as both teacher and learner. To be successful with youth it is essential that you “want” to interact with them and be part of their lives. Working with youth is not for the faint of heart and spirit, it is for those who are called to make a difference and be a positive role model and mentor for youth. Working with youth can’t just be a job, it must be what has “heart and meaning” for you.
When working with youth it is both enjoyable for you and interesting for them when you share your interests and passions. If you are a music aficionado and just love jazz, share that interest with youth. If you enjoy skateboarding, what are the tips and “tricks” you can share, while still keeping them safe? What about your experience winning the Science Fair when you were in 7th grade? Is that something you can share? By putting your best foot forward and sharing what has heart and meaning for you, you are giving young people permission to do the same. For many youth they are just identifying what it is they have both a passion and/or talent for. So open as many doors as you can and encourage youth to step up and step in, putting their best feet forward as they open themselves to experiential learning.
Consult 4 Kids staff has years of experience with youth. We would love to share with you our best practices. Contact us at support@consultfourkids.com