Gulp! You’re about to meet a whole new group of young people. What can you do to get to know them?  Get good at these five basic strategies. As the new program year begins, it’s important that leaders and staff build positive relationships with young people. Share these tips with your team to get started.

1. Learn and use names

Spend the time to learn everyone’s name and how to pronounce it correctly. Use each person’s name frequently in the program.

2. Listen to each person

Create space for young people to share who they are with you! Plan games and activities that are designed for children to collaborate. The more each person speaks, draws and shares, the more you’ll know what they care about and what they are hoping for in your program. 

3. Do your research 

When you begin to hear what young people are interested in, find out all about it. The internet is an enormous resource for you. Did you hear about a trend? Look it up! You don’t have to enjoy all of the same things that young people enjoy, but you do want to understand what they are talking about.  And if the internet doesn’t have an answer for you… the young people do. Ask young people about their favorite artist, the newest slang or school requirements. 

4. Take action

Show you’re listening by following up on conversations or ideas. Provide time to explore concepts or offer connections to people in your network.

5. Shrink the group

Break young people into small groups so you and the other participants can get to know each other more deeply. Experiment with grouping strategies so young people can get to know everyone in the program.

Contributed by DWL Senior Consultant, Jen Brevoort. Thanks, Jen!!