The coming Wet n Tech Camp will again be a time for adults to exercise effective skills in nurturing young people in an informal setting. We have seen too many programs targeting young people, but fail to involve them in building life-skills. Take the National Service program for example. Would it not benefit the young people if they are involved in the designing, planning, running and evaluation of the program activities? Wouldn't they at least learn about planning and leadership by being involved that way? Have you seen how the adults communicate with the participants?
Often, we adults talk down to children. It's almost a natural thing to do and our children grow up to do the same thing. We lecture and preach to children. We talk to them condescendingly or without respect, judge their actions, force our own values unto them, use punishment or anger, and make their questions seem silly.
Experiences from raising 6 children (I'm sure you have your experiences to share), combined with community sevice work involving children, here's some positive adult-children communication that may help improve how we get along with young people. It's no different from the communication skills we need in the office. But it takes us to change our own way of relating to young people:
1. Listen and ask questions.
2. Understand the problem or issue.
3. Give facts and correct information.
4. Be able to say, "I don't know".
5. Share your values.
6. Be patient.
7. Share your faith.
8. Respect their opinions.
9. Assure confidentiality and build trust.
10. Share alternatives and options.
11. Give choices.
12. Develop their decision-making skills.
13. Give guidance to live long, healthy lives.
14. Help them identify their feelings and opinions.
15. Build their confidence and self-esteem.
Facilitators of the Wet n Tech Camp, as usual, will need to exercise this communication skill. These may also be especially useful when communicating about family issues, sexuality and growing pains with young people.
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