Art & Science of Youth Work
Quick Takes Blog
The Benefits of Youth Worker Training
The benefits of youth worker training are often lost when times get tough. Training is often the first thing to go when budget cuts are needed. This is true even...
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Quick Takes Blog
Social and Emotional Learning Through Games and Play
Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps young people of all ages better understand their emotions. Although SEL is common in the context of students and school, any type of youth...
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Quick Takes Blog
Resilience: The Antidote to Stress
Resilience is often thought of as the ability to bounce back from difficulties. So, in that sense, it’s a kind of toughness. But that view is a bit one dimensional....
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Quick Takes Blog
ADHD Challenges, Strengths, and Strategies in Youth Work
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can present challenges and strengths when you work with young people. As you look deeper at ADHD, you will notice opportunities to encourage young people to create...
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Quick Takes Blog
How to Advocate for Young People as a Youth Worker
When I first entered the youth worker field in the early 1990s, there were many more funding resources for youth-serving programs than there are today. So, it wasn’t critical for...
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Quick Takes Blog
Helping Young People Navigate Cancel Culture
Cancel culture can be used for good, as a way to demand social change. It’s helped combat wrongdoing like racism, sexism, and LGBTQIA+ bias. But it can also be used...
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Quick Takes Blog
Motivation to Move Toward Change
Motivation plays an important role in achieving any meaningful change. When a young person is struggling with change, you can be a great resource to help them find their motivation....
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Quick Takes Blog
De-escalation Strategies for Young People and Youth Workers
De-escalation can be challenging as you care for the young person, others, and yourself, all at the same time. And the intensity of the moment when a young person’s behavior...
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Quick Takes Blog
Wisdom in Youth Work is Untapped Potential
Wisdom in youth work is not conveniently or routinely shared. The field of youth work lacks sufficient infrastructure to learn and grow from each other. This delays the collective wisdom...
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