National Youth Week starts today (20th April) and runs until the 30th April.
During this week, let’s consider how we can amplify the assets, joy and creativity of the young people in our community!
A fascinating study by NASA (Land & Jarman, 1992) found that 12% of 15-year-olds fell in to the “genius category of imagination” compared to just 2% of adults (with 98% of 5-year-olds falling into the genius category of imagination!).
“Changing how we communicate—the examples we use, the pronouns we choose, the tone we take, and the agency we ascribe—is a core feature in this culture change work. These choices in how we communicate are about framing, and this is why tapping into the science and practice of framing is part of shifting how we see and support young people.” (Kendall-Taylor, 2020).
By empowering young people and providing them with the resources they need to thrive, we can help them to become active agents of change in their communities. This not only benefits young people themselves, but also has positive ripple effects throughout society. Youth Week is an important reminder of our collective responsibility to support young people and build a brighter future for all.
Kendell-Taylor, N. (2020). Shifting the Frame to Change How we See Youth People. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66 (2), 137-139.
Land & Jarman. (1992). Breakpoint and Beyond: Mastering the Future Today. HarperCollins Publishers.
