Submitted by: Debbie Jones, CA
Sndj1231@aol.com
I am giving a talk tomorrow in our Stake
Leadership along those same lines and I am using a list of eight things I got from a talk
I heard at BYU education week a few years ago. The speaker was Randall Wright one of
my favorites. The list was eight things to make youth want to be at home. But I have twice
in different areas we have lived incorporated them into the young women's program and they
worked great. So I call them the eight things to make youth want to be at church.
1. Salutary Recognition- Say hello, smile and be happy to see them when they enter a room
or pass them in the hall. Especially out in public. Also remember their names.
2. Small Talk- Ask questions, be interested in them and what is important to them. When I
am teaching I always take the first five min. of class to visit with them to find
out what's going on in their lives. You also have many opportunities to visit when
just standing by a young woman.
3. Ego Building Comments- Sincere complements are always welcome and make them feel
special. Look for the things that are special about them.
4. Identity- Help them to feel apart of the group. We all need to be a part of the
group or family and to know you have people on your side. There is comfort in this.
5. Exciting Activities- Fun is the ultimate goal of youth. It is possible to have
fun and learn important truths at the same time.
6. Expanding Memories- Build memories, attend other things they are involved in
(play, sporting event, ect). Remind them of happy memories. I like to video tape
part of all the combined activities during the year and at the end show the youth.
They love to look at themselves and friends and remember and laugh it is very
bonding for the group.
7. Consequences- (feed back) If you get on their bad side its hard to recover but you
still have to be the adult and we all need to be responsible for our actions. (correct
with kindness and a smile)
8. Boy/Girl Activities- They love having wholesome group activities in a non threatening
environment where they can associate with each other.
You could expand on each of these or add a story or just give them to them as is. There
also is an article by Brad Wilcox that I think was from the new era
called "Helping youth feel they belong" maybe you could get a copy from your
library.
If you have any questions let me know, I feel this is so important that we lead with love
with these girls.
Best wishes,
Leadership
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