Empowering kids with the 5 C’s | Positive Youth Development
Working with youth is not just about shaping the future; it's about empowering the future change makers to shape their own destiny.
In today's fast-paced world, empowering youth has become more critical than ever. As a production company dedicated to creating educational programs, we understand the immense importance of including young people in the process. Positive youth development not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the well-being of communities and society as a whole.
Positive Youth Development is centered around the concept of nurturing multiple strengths in young individuals that will benefit them throughout their lives. At the core of this approach are the 5 C's: competence, confidence, connection, character, and compassion. These pillars serve as guiding principles for supporting youth as they navigate life's challenges and opportunities.
The 5 C’s :
Source : The Champions Project
Competence: Encouraging young people to explore their interests and providing them with access to resources is crucial for building competence. By empowering them to pursue their passions and develop new skills, we help them gain confidence in their abilities and foster a sense of accomplishment.
Confidence: Embracing failure as a natural part of the learning process is essential for building confidence in young people. By encouraging them to take risks and try new things, we instill in them the resilience and perseverance needed to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Connection: Creating opportunities for young people to connect with others and become part of a supportive community is vital for their emotional and social well-being. By fostering meaningful relationships and helping them find their voice, we empower them to advocate for themselves and others.
Character: Involving young people in decision-making and problem-solving processes helps shape their character and instill values such as integrity, responsibility, and empathy. By providing them with opportunities to make a positive impact on their communities, we nurture their sense of civic engagement and social responsibility.
Compassion: By treating young people with honesty, respect, and trust, we demonstrate our belief in their potential and empower them to become compassionate leaders and change-makers. By modeling compassionate behavior and serving as positive role models, we inspire them to make a difference in the world.
Positive Youth Development does not simply mean an examination of anything that appears to be beneficial for young people. Rather, it is an approach with strong defining assumptions about what is important to look at if we are to accurately capture the full potential of all young people to learn and thrive in the diverse settings where they live (Damon, W. (2004). Damon, W. (2004). What is Positive Youth Development?)
Our "Work with Youth" program offers a dynamic blend of storytelling, cultural learning, community engagement, and environmental awareness. It provides the youth with invaluable experiences and skills for their personal and professional growth.
We create educational programs for youth, with youth. Perhaps that's one of our secret ingredients for delivering high-quality learning experiences? 🤫
To go further :
Lerner, R. M. (2009). The positive youth development perspective: Theoretical and empirical bases of a strengths-based approach to adolescent development. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 149–163). Oxford University Press.
Damon, W. (2004). What is Positive Youth Development? The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 591(1), 13-24.
