Collective for Youth

Introduction to the Active-Participatory Approach
Youth programs can be optimized for youth needs, motivation, and engagement. The Active-Participatory Approach to youth work was designed to address these goals. This youth-centered approach is the foundation for the Youth Work Methods Series.

Active Learning
Do you know the difference between active learning and “hands-on” learning?  Giving youth materials is just the beginning.  This interactive workshop introduces the “ingredients” of active learning, explains the role that active learning plays in the experiential learning cycle, and helps participants create more powerful learning opportunities for youth.
Session Flow | Active Engagement | Skill-Building

Ask-Listen-Encourage
Do you communicate with youth in a way that makes them feel supported and heard?  This interactive workshop introduces various communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth-centered relationships.  Participants will learn how to ask more effective questions, to listen actively to youth, and offer youth encouragement rather than praise.    
Encouragement | Interaction with Adults | Adult Partners 

Building Community
Do you know what it takes to build an emotionally and physically safe space for youth?  Building an emotionally safe community of peers and adults is essential for youth to learn and develop as individuals.  This interactive workshop will introduce participants to a variety of activities designed to support the community building process.
Emotional Safety | Warm Welcome | Belonging

Cooperative Learning
Do the youth in your program have opportunities to work together in groups, teaching and learning from each other?  Cooperative learning is an excellent way to nurture youth leadership, build community, and keep things fun.  This interactive workshop will equip participants with grouping strategies and ways to think about building cooperative learning into any program offering.
Collaboration | Belonging | Leadership 

Homework Help
This course focuses on making homework help time effective by helping youth get organized, by providing an atmosphere that helps youth focus on their work, and by building a supportive relationship with youth. These elements help participants reconsider Homework Help as an opportunity to build relationships and nurture positive growth, beyond getting the work done.

Planning and Reflection
Are you engaging youth in the critical life skills of planning and reflection?  Are you ready to be more intentional about including planning and reflection strategies into your daily routine and activities but not sure where to start?  This interactive workshop will introduce participants to powerful and easy to use methods that promote youth engagement in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and projects. 
Planning | Reflection 

Reframing Conflict
What role do you play in conflict situations with the youth in your program?  Do you know how to turn a conflict situation into an opportunity for growth?  This interactive workshop introduces participants to the High/Scope step-by-step model for reframing conflict as well as general principles of conflict resolution. 
Reframing Conflict | Managing Feelings 

Structure and Clear Limits
How do you prevent chaos in a youth environment without stifling youth’s positive energy?  Youth need structure and clear limits in order to feel safe.  This interactive workshop helps participants analyze the level of structure in their programs and practice identifying and maintaining clear limits. 
Safe Environment Domain | Session Flow | Child-Centered Space 

Youth Voice
Are you providing young people with authentic, meaningful choices throughout your program?  Does your program reflect the input of the youth involved?  Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels.  This workshop will emphasize the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth, and nurturing youth leadership.  This interactive workshop is focused on providing meaningful choice within activities and opportunities for youth input within the youth program itself.
Choice | Leadership | Adult Partners | Responsibility 

 The David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality is a division of the Forum for Youth Investment
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