Creating safe learning experiences for teenagers.
Kids are growing up extra fast nowadays, and they become teenagers, then adults– all before we’re ready! With the evolving needs and wants of modern-day teenagers, here’s a few thoughts on how we can engage them safely and meaningfully with access to learning and opportunities to grow:
Create buy-in
Without our teens’ elusive interest, we get nowhere. Our Teen Work Program pays teens a wage to mow lawns in their neighborhood, where they gain experience serving others and learning how a business operates.
Buy-in comes from more than money, however. Know their interests and make mutual compromises. They learn more when they earn something for their effort. Remember to consider their ideas, too!
Build experience safely
Teens hear and see a lot about adult life, but without the context of experience. Shaping them with real wisdom benefits their lives, and the teen years can be a perfect ground for experience to grow. Look for ways to acquaint them with new lessons while the stakes are lower, they’ll be thankful for it someday!
“For our teens to have that real world experience in a space that offers them grace while being firm- it gives them the chance to build that experience safely.”
– Sais Daniel (Director of Community Services, BridgeBuilders)
Help, don’t hover
Helping is teaching and demonstrating, hovering is doing the work for them. Teens are capable of surprising us! Sometimes this means letting them experience natural consequences of being self-sufficient.
They learn the value of their choices when they feel the outcome. The world won’t have the grace or mercy that you can, so pick the right times to be a safety net.
Listen, don’t lecture
When we bring in guest speakers for our teens, they get 15 minutes to speak. Giving teens a starting and ending point helps their focus, and if their attention is held after 15 minutes, only then do we take more time on a topic.
Practice using a timer in conversations at home and free them up after the timer goes off! If it’s not settled by 15 minutes, try asking their permission for more time or schedule for later.
Actively listen and avoid judging thoughts and ideas as “bad.” Their future realizations about how they spent time will have a power that our judgements from outside cannot.
Find their understanding
Everyone has a perspective. By hearing and understanding the way they understand, we can find the unique ways they need support.
Have face to face conversations and meet them where they are. If they aren’t a talker- send them a text! If they want to work, find job opportunities to send to them! It’s all about knowing your teen and finding the right spaces for them. Advocate for their strengths but also let them surprise you.
Create conversation and accountability
Teens are asked often what they want to become, but we can’t miss asking what their plan is to get there. This grows their critical thinking skills. In areas like South Dallas, teens have less access to work opportunities and require creativity to earn money.
This made our summer ‘Teen Work Program’ a new area of access to opportunity! Our teen employees spent their summer learning community service, entrepreneurship, and professional development. The goal is to create knowledge and wisdom about the power of work, while requiring commitment to a program for accountability.
Our Teen Work Program was a success due to the efforts of Brandon Rowe and Bonton Bible Church for locating and coordinating lawncare needs in the neighborhood, and Dallas United 4 Good being a resource to teach entrepreneurship and business management skills.
Our teens can use your support to continue becoming healthy and happy adults. To be a supporter, you can donate monthly to our student program through BridgeBuddies. Click here to support our kids- because every kid deserves a buddy!
