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Youth Modules, Module 8 - Personal, Character and Leadership Development Content Guide and Skills Building Journal
Programs:
Youth Program
Resource Type:
Training
Published:
01/06
Module 8: Personal, Character and Leadership Development - Every single day, in every encounter within the Youth Center, you have the opportunity to help promote personal, character and leadership development in youth. This guide will show you the importance of infusing character and leadership opportunities into conversation and program activities.
Table of Contents
- Module 8:
- Personal, Character and Leadership Development
- Content Guide
- Youth Staff
-
Training Program
- 8.1 Introduction 1
- Overview 1
- Take a Closer Look 7
- Self-Reflection 16
- A. Helping Youth to Accept and Appreciate Themselves and Others 19
- B. Developmental Stages of Youth and Implications for Character Development 21
- C. Building Leadership Skills 25
- D. The Connection Between Character and Leadership Development 28
- Summarizing Your Progress 31
- Six Pillars of CharacterSM 33
- Overview
- As a Program Assistant, you already know that adolescents are in a critical, highly turbulent developmental stage of life. Th\y struggle with many issues as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Life skills such as decision making and goal setti對ng are being developed. As you help youth transition into adulthood, close attention must also be paid to their moral developm\nt. In Youth Centers, staff do this by assisting youth in the development of good character.
- You can see that today’s youth are dealing with many internal and external issues. Youth, especially teens, want to play an a\ൣtive role in addressing their own problems and must be given the opportunity to meet numerous developmental challenges. The po對wer of an effective Youth Center is that it helps youth to build good character and positive leadership skills, providing them \൷ith the tools needed to navigate through adolescence.
- Helping youth to accept and appreciate themselves
- When an individual has a foundation of good character other skill development and critical thinking will reflect their charact\r. Your job is to model good character and create an environment that supports and celebrates individual behavior. Here’s how對 you can create an environment that helps youth to accept and appreciate themselves and others:
- Remind individuals through words and actions that the Youth Center is a place of character.
- Example: “I’m proud of how you all shook hands with the other teams after you lost the game. It shows you respect how everyo\൮e played. You showed great sportsmanship and respect.”
- Act as a role model for youth by demonstrating principles of character.
- Example: “I might not agree with your opinions of that movie, but I respect your ideas.”
- Offer a wide variety of activities that do not limit youth’s options because of individual differences.
- Example: “Hey Tina! (15) Did you hear? The Youth Council’s planning a special outing to the mountains for a 5 mile hike. \ൔhey’re also planning to have a ‘base camp’ with activities like outdoor cooking, music and a nature talk,” says Sue (15). “We對 can choose to either hike or stay at base camp. It’s a great idea. We can all have fun!”
- Avoid biased remarks regarding gender, disabilities, culture, ethnic background or any other differences.
- Example: “We’ve all got special talents,” says Mr. Allen to the group of teens. “Regardless of who we are or where we come f\൲om, we all can do something well. Keith (14), I noticed you’re great at helping younger kids with homework. They really look對 up to you. And Tabitha (17), you’re a super art instructor.”
- Ask youth questions about themselves and their family heritage.
- Example: “Carol (11), it sounds like you love and admire your grandmother a lot. What do you know about her life when she w\ൡs young?”
- Provide youth with opportunities to share their family traditions and heritage with others (e.g., theme dinners, parties, etc.對)
- Example: “I think our Rockin’ ‘Round the World New Year’s Eve Party is great! Everyone gets to share favorite decorations an\ food from their family’s heritage. Maria (11), the piñatas are great and those tortillas are the best I’ve ever eaten. Have對 you tried the lasagna that Joe (15) brought? His grandparents are from Italy.”
- Interact with staff, youth and parents as a person of character.
- Example: “I know I promised you I’d be at the parent’s meeting next week. I’ve rearranged my schedule to be sure I can be th\re.”
- Display posters or other information that illustrates principles of character and leadership.
- Example: “Nancy (17), I think it’s a great idea to ask the youth who are planning the community beautification project to he\൬p create posters that show how leadership qualities like decision making and working well with groups helped the project be suc對cessful. We can hang them throughout the Youth Center to inspire other youth.”
- Feeling successful and competent
- Everyone has a need to feel they are good at something. You can probably think about a few things you are very good at and ho\൷ great you feel when you can use a skill well. The same is true for the youth you work with. In all your interactions with yo對uth, you have the opportunity to help them with their own personal growth and their ability to master skills and situations the\൹ can feel good about. In turn, this helps them feel confident and good about themselves. They have an increased sense of self對 worth. This is the foundation for good character and leadership development. Here are some ways a Program Assistant can prov\൩de youth with opportunities to feel successful and competent:
- Help youth to identify their unique talents.
- Example: “Wow! Todd (15), your drawing looks exactly like Mr. Stevens! You’re a fantastic artist!”
- Provide opportunities and encouragement for youth to practice their skills.
- Example: “If you practice a bit more on your guitar, I bet you’ll improve those cords. I’ve got some free time right now; wa\൮t me to listen to you practice?”
- Encourage youth to take risks and learn from their mistakes and try again.
- Example: “You’re right Tonia (15). Joining the debate team at school would be a lot of work but, like you said, it would be\ഠa great experience. I don’t think you need to worry about winning or losing the debates because each debate will be a little d對ifferent. You’ll learn a lot about public speaking and debate techniques. Over time you’ll refine your skills. I wouldn’t be\ഠsurprised if eventually you walk in here with an award or two!”
- Provide a variety of materials, equipment, and activities to meet a wide range of abilities.
- Example: “Those are pictures of our High Adventure club. We do a lot of scuba diving, kayaking, rappelling and hiking. If y\൯u’re interested, we always have classes going on and club meetings. Some of the youth are beginners while others are certified對 as instructors.”
- Provide youth with meaningful roles in the daily operation of the program.
- Example: “The Youth Council runs the snack bar everyday. They also help the staff develop our summer program.”
- Provide genuine recognition to acknowledge youths’ efforts and accomplishments.
- Example: “Michael (11), you did a great job of explaining this computer program! The step-by-step approach made it easy to \൬earn. Thanks for your help.”
- Encourage youth to solve their own problems, but be available to listen and offer support and guidance when needed.
- Example: “I understand the dilemma that you’re in. You want to attend Youth Forum but you would miss a lot of work and, as a\ഠresult, you may not have enough money for your car payment. Why don’t we sit down and talk about this. Maybe there are other 對ways you can figure out to save money!”
- Encourage youth to establish and achieve personal goals.
- Example: “Marisa (15), it’s great that you’re interested in being a pediatrician. Have you done any research on medical car\ers? That would help you set some goals and maybe give you some ideas for volunteer opportunities in that field. I’ve got som對e good resources that you might want to check out.”
- Character development
- Character is revealed in the way a person behaves when no one is looking. Youth you work with can become people of character \ൡnd help others understand about character by knowing and practicing the Six Pillars of CharacterSM, and the skills and behavior對s that distinguish a person of principle. See the chart included in the Resource section for a description of the Six Pillars \൯f CharacterSM.