Youth Participation for Early Adolescents: Learning and Serving in the Community

Children aged 10-14 need to assume responsible and challenging roles as part of their adolescent development. Based on the physical, social, moral and ethical, and emotional development characteristics of this age, adolescents need to discover and test new skills; develop a sense of competence; socialize to develop close friendships; take part in the world of adults; test a developing morality and value structure in authentic situations; and know that they can speak and be heard, that they can make a difference. Adolescents can accomplish much more than is usually assumed by participating in actual programs in which they take such roles as community problem solvers, peer tutors, museum guides and hospital interns. For example, a community service program in a Long Island middle school is a successful youth participation program in action. For 10 weeks, a group of 7th graders spend 1 morning a week as teachers in a local Head Start program. They have responsibility for designing and conducting the lesson, gathering materials and evaluating their accomplishments. Although there are issues and barriers as teachers and administrators seek to initiate and manage youth participation programs, the rewards are worth the efforts as the resources of this early adolescent group are tapped.