jumpstart4kids

Adults expect a lot of young people: to learn to treat people fairly and with kindness, act responsibly, get good grades, and become successful. Of course, young people can't learn everything they need to reach their goals without help from parents and other caring adults. Adults also expect a lot of temselves. Consistently modeling appropriate behavior, teaching values, and at the same time, striving for your own goals, can be challenging. That's why it's important to work together. If you know a parent with a troubled teenager or a teacher with a failing student, ask them how you can help. If you are having difficulty connecting with a young person, be sure to ask for the help you need. Sometimes there are concrete things people can do to help; other times listening is all that's needed.

Having a sense of hope is one of the most important human traits to embrace. Everyone faces ups and downs in life. But it's important to teach young people that a bad day, failed test, break-up, or loss of a loved one doesn't mean the future is without hope. When bad things happen or mistakes occur, help young people focus on solutions or positive aspects of the situation instead of problems.

Stories about people who have overcome incredible odds to make a difference or achieve a dream abound throughout history. It's important to have goals and dreams, but what do you do when the going gets tough? It's important to model a positive attitude, seek solutions to problems, and keep moving toward your goal. Studies show when people envision themselves reaching their goals, they're more likely to make them happen.

Ask young people what inspires or excites them and share your thoughts on the subject with them. Encourage them to write down their thoughts about the meaning of life to help gain a greater understanding about what's important to them. Tell them to review what they've written from time to time and notice how some of these things may change over time. Let them know changes are healthy and natural as people mature. Encourage them to aim for the things that give their lives purpose.

If you lived to 100, what would you want people to remember about you? Would your actions over the years reflect waht you believed in and stood for? When young people think today about what they want to accomplish in their lives, it shapes their sense of purpose. Each and every young person has something unique to offer the world.

A young person's self-esteem can be affected by many people and situations. Notice how what you say and do affects the young people around you. Young people's self-esteem increases when they feel loved, respected, and accepted; taken seriously; and listened to. Felling safe and secure, and able to make choices and do good deeds also boosts self-esteem. The most important key to building other's self-esteem is to let them know they matter and are an important part of society.

High self-esteem doesn't necessarily come naturally. Adults, by the way the act and interact, teach young people to believe in themselves and like themselves. Telling and showing young people that they love and accept them for who they are, what they value, and the people they want to become helps build self-esteem. it's also important to teach young people the values and actions that will build genuine self-esteem, including caring, giving, treating others with kindness and tolerance, and always doing your best in school and other activities.

Young people who have a strong sense of their own power believe that when good things happen to them, they had some control over the outcome. If things go wrong, help young people focus on the positive steps they can take to remedy the situation. Help them see how they can make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

Having personal power means understanding and accepting the things we can and can't control. You can find a new job, work out a conflict, or move to a new location if you choose. When young people feel empowered, they feel more confident to make their own choices-to get good grades, participate in activities they enjoy, and take action to find solutions to problems.

Although identity is partially determined by genetics, adults can bring out the best in young people. The way you interact with young people helps them to feel loved or unloved, liked or disliked. Further, the ways you respond to successes, mistakes, actions, and words helps build a sense of either a positive or negative identity. Begin by supporting young people and showing them you care. A young person who feels loved, supported, and nurtured is more likely to feel good about herself or himself. It's also important to help young people feel empowered by allowing them to experience self-reliance, responsibility, and opportunities to make meaningful contributions. Appreciate each young person for who he or she is.

The way people feel about themselves can fluctuate with circumstances. Depending on what's happening, you may feel confident or unsure, optimistic or pessimistic, in control or not in control. What's important is what a person's identity is like most of the time. People who have a strong, positive sense of self maintain theses qualities even when difficulties arise. They continue to be hopeful and optimistic, and believe they can make a difference. The qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

When you notice two young people arguing, ask them to stop and take a deep breath. Once they're calmer, ask them to think about why they are mad before they start talking. Being calm helps to focus on the problem at hand and not on attacking the other person. Suggest they talk about problems before the problems get too big. This can help keep everyone from blowing things out of proportion.

Whether it's a spat between sisters over who should take out the trash or an argument between nations over natural resources, disagreements are a part of being human. But no matter how small or large, every dispute can be resolved peacefully if both sides are willing to listen and compromise. Encourage young people to talk it out-and truly listen to one another. Speaking and listening respectfully are key.