What Gets Young People Talking?

One of the most satisfying aspects of organising activities for young people is to see the joy and excitement they feel during the sessions. This sense of satisfaction is elevated when their experience stays with them in the long term or even forever. A key to this kinds response is successful engagement with the young people. By creating surroundings in which children are able to express themselves freely without the feeling of being looked down upon or judged (be it by adults, teachers, coaches or peers) you have created a blank slate. 

This blank slate is paramount to establishing a trusting relationship when young people attend the activities. From the beginning you need to make them believe them that they have a voice that matters and you are interested in their views and experiences. Now you may wonder what their experiences have got to do with playing sports? Encouraging them to express their views is an effective way to engage them. It is also a method of using the information about themselves that you can refer back to in the future when you need to make decisions on how that young person works best. Is it in a leadership role? Or as a key team player? Listening and taking on what they have to say helps. 

The other part to this is about children being able to relate to you. It is easier to make an impression on children when you come from a similar background and you can genuinely understand where they are coming from. Young people are smart and have good social awareness so they are able to tell when it is not 'real'. But when they can feel that you appreciate and care about their experiences they become more open to your advice, ideas and suggestions. This is the beginning of children and young people placing trust in your methods for their benefit.

Finally, when they can see how your approach has enhanced them personally and as a group it brings them a sense of achievement. Many young people feel special in away that two individuals (Coaches in this case) come in to their environment (school, youth club, community activity etc) to share their professional expertise and experience just for them.  In the end the fact that they have learned things (listening skills, discipline, team work, debate) they can keep with them forever, had fun and were able to enjoy themselves all at the same time is what makes children and young people happy. If the experience has them talking about it for days, weeks, months and even years then we have done our job.

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