Interventions from Youth Change
Teach The Difference Between "Trying" and "Doing"
The next time a student says "I'll try" instead of "I will," throw a pen on the floor and ask the student to "try" and pick it up. Be sure you don't allow the child to actually pick it up-- just to try. The student will quickly experience and understand the big difference between doing and trying, and this understanding will quickly spread to other students who watch this exercise.
Help Students Manage Serious Family Problems
Students may have little energy for their school or work site when family problems overwhelm them. Have these youth sort their problems into "Things I Can Change" and "Things I Can't." Initially, many youth may claim to be able to change family problems like drinking and hitting. Inform students no one can change anyone else, just them self, then have students re-sort their problems. Many problems should shift from "Things I Can Change" to "Things I Can't," freeing more energy for school or work. Counseling for the family problems should also be offered.
Problem Solving
Give kids this guideline to use to decide whether or not to engage in questionable behavior, such as stealing, cheating or lying: "Would you want to read about it tomorrow on the front page of the local paper?" If the answer is "no," don't do it.