The David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality Youth Work Methods Training Series is part of the Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI). The series of two and a half hour workshops offers powerful strategies for working with young people, bringing together over fifty years of experience and the latest research in positive youth development. These interactive and hands-on courses provide participants with practical skills that are geared to improve the quality of interactions with youth.
Introduction to the Active-Participatory Approach
- Youth programs can be optimized for youth needs, motivation, and engagement through an Active-Participatory Approach. The Youth Work series was designed to address these goals in a youth-centered approach.
Active Learning
- Giving youth materials is just the beginning; participants are introduced to strategies for incorporating active learning that helps create more powerful learning opportunities for youth.
Ask-Listen-Encourage
- This workshop introduces communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth-centered relationships. Participants learn how to ask effective questions, to listen actively to youth, and offer youth encouragement rather than praise.
Building Community
- Building an emotionally safe community of peers and adults is essential for youth to learn and develop as individuals. This interactive workshop will introduce participants to a variety of activities designed to support the community building process.
Cooperative Learning
- Cooperative learning is an excellent way to nurture youth leadership, build community, and keep things fun. This interactive workshop will equip participants with grouping strategies and ways to think about building cooperative learning into any program offering.
Homework Help
- Make homework help time effective by helping youth get organized; by providing an atmosphere that helps youth focus on their work; and by building a supportive relationship with youth.
Planning and Reflection
- Participants learn a powerful and easy method that promotes youth engagement in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and projects.
Reframing Conflict
- Participants are introduced to a step-by-step model for reframing conflict as well as general principles for conflict resolution.
Structure and Clear Limits
- Youth need structure and clear limits in order to feel safe. Participants analyze the level of structure in their programs and practice identifying and maintaining clear limits.
Youth Voice
- Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels. This workshop will emphasize the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth, and nurturing youth leadership.