Tonight was my last class of the semester and I like to end the class on a positive note. I give my students old books from a second hand store that would otherwise be thrown out and let them "alter" them by ripping the pages, collaging etc.... It's a great stress reliever after an intense semester fraught with adolescent issues.
I also tell the the story of a group of homeless women who make dolls for boys in foster care and how the boys then make home's for their dolls made by homeless women. It's a story of resilience among individuals who are often considered dependent and unable to even take care of themselves much less give to others. Both the boys and the women gained a lot of joy and self esteem from giving to each other.
All semester long my students hear cases about teens who experience trauma and how teens are more vulnerable to trauma because their brains are changing. What is wonderful to be able to remind them is that the sullen teen who won't talk at 14 and seems like they're going over a cliff - will by 18 begin to speak about wanting to study philosophy and learn to meditate and take an interest in other people.
Young people do grow up and out of their uncomfortable moments.
I also tell the the story of a group of homeless women who make dolls for boys in foster care and how the boys then make home's for their dolls made by homeless women. It's a story of resilience among individuals who are often considered dependent and unable to even take care of themselves much less give to others. Both the boys and the women gained a lot of joy and self esteem from giving to each other.
All semester long my students hear cases about teens who experience trauma and how teens are more vulnerable to trauma because their brains are changing. What is wonderful to be able to remind them is that the sullen teen who won't talk at 14 and seems like they're going over a cliff - will by 18 begin to speak about wanting to study philosophy and learn to meditate and take an interest in other people.
Young people do grow up and out of their uncomfortable moments.
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