A beaut activity to use when you are talking with a young person, AND someone else. In this case, imagine a chat with a student and a teacher. This activity creates interest and curiosity about each other and creates a democratic atmosphere to look at what’s on the minds of both teacher and student.
Video 3: I Think You Think…
Please login to get access to the quiz
This has been my favorite video yet!! Thank you Peter
Cdurkin, this is good! If you get a moment, can you let me know why…cheers. Pete
Thanks Pete.
Love the win-win nature of this exercise-whether you match or mismatch, there is an opportunity.
Ta Tanneg for the comment. I think this really matters with young people, especially those who have been repeatedly failed by systems and circumstances…where there is often a long line of people suggesting/encouraging/demanding that a young person ‘change.’ And yep, change may well be needed. In the meantime, a few runs on the board, and an experience of success can go a long way towards helping create a spirit of wanting to ‘have a go’, as well as just simply the uplifting value of ‘getting things right.’ So yeah, I think it’s a good idea for us to try to create moments where young people cannot fail, but can only ‘get it right.’ Thanks again. Pete
Hi Pete.. excellent work as usual – I know we go way back.. back to your amazing book.. which I still use by the way… and now.. it is fantastic how you are putting your extensive experience and knowledge into these clips it feels like I am actually talking to you… I like this one as it has worked for me in the past in a bit different format as I was working with incarcerated youth and their adult workers.. attitudes in situations like this can be ‘coloured’ by: the setting itself, the attitudes adults have to young people who are offending, and the fear of the young person inside the institution. This activity engages on a more intimate level by acknowledgement and getting something right (on both sides; teacher and yp) …definitely democratizes the process.. I agree and it works.. young person’s fears tend to be alleviated a little when they ‘get’ that the teacher ‘gets’ them and attitudes of the adults tend to change when the young person acknowledges the difficulties/issue. in my experience, agreement on how to proceed is generally an outcome. thanks again Pete for your tireless efforts in giving us strategies to work with our young people, particularly our most vulnerable.. Joanna
Hi Joaiul
I think you are right. It’s not clever or tricky…just makes room for everyone. And you are welcome to the videos. I appreciate your helpful and insightful responses. Pete
I really like that this activity acknowledges both the teacher and the young persons concerns. Both parties feel valued. Nice one.
That’s the aim EmmaE, and yeah, think it works nicely to do just that. Thanks for the noting. Pete
Great idea – will be very useful in my role as a school counsellor. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Pete
Neat Clarissa! Yep, I think this is a beaut activity for school counsellors. Do let me know how it goes. Cheers. Pete
Thanks for sharing these so generously Pete. Our organisation works with children and young people living with disability and I can already see ways to adapt your ideas to some of the person-centred approaches we are using. Especially managing those “Important To, Important For” conversations with young people, families and teachers