Try out the activities yourself. This will help you to debug the activity and let you think about how the activity might be different for different age levels.

Have your activity supplies organized and ready! Think about things that you might want to prepare ahead of time, for example cutting of string or paper. Have all the supplies that you will need for the activity so that you don't have to leave the youth to go searching.

Ask youth to ask questions. Encourage the youth to ask questions about what they see and what they are doing. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know - but let's find out!" No one has all the answers, even scientists.

Answer questions with a question. If the youth asks you a question don't give them the "correct" answer, but instead ask "How can we find out?"

Keep the questions coming. Use good questioning skills. Example of good questions: "Will you show me?" "I wonder why it does that?" "What would happen if . . . ?" "Why is it doing that?" "Will you show me how it works?"

Let 'em make mistakes! If the youth is stumped, ask "What else can we try?" This tells youngsters that it's okay if they don't know all the answers-and helps them learn what they can do if they don't have a solution.

Be open to youth's ideas. There's often more than one way to do an activity, and more than one possible result. Let youth try some of their own ideas, if possible. Above all be curious and inquisitive, and interact with the children and the activities.

What Can I Expect from the Youth?

Ages 5-8

• Easily motivated, eager to try something new.
• Deal with here and now. Interest span short.
• Sensitive to criticism, don't accept failure well.
• Learn best if physically active.
• Strong desire for affection and attention of adults.

Ages 9 to 11

• Are active, with boundless energy.
• Like group activity.
• Have interests that often change rapidly, may jump from one thing to another.
• Usually do best when work is laid out in small pieces.
• Guidance from adults is important if they are to attend to a task and achieve their best.
• Are easily motivated, eager to try something new.
• Admire and imitate older boys and girls.
• Need recognition and praise for doing good work.

Ages 12 to 14

• Are concerned about being liked by friends.
• Desire a sense of independence, yet want and need adults' help.
• Are self-conscious.
• Are ready for in-depth, longer learning experiences.
• Are getting over the age of fantasy and beginning to think of what they will do when they grow up.

Return to NNST

Return to CYFERNet