Youth as Facilitators— Making it the Norm

Youth can facilitate a group just as well as an adult sometimes. Research shows that young people, especially teens, are more apt to follow the advice and instruction of a peer in some instances before they follow the advice of an adult. Think about it— whose opinion is more valuable— someone who has more in common with you and living a similar experience as you NOW or someone who is older, never been a teen during your era and can only give personal testimonies of “back in the day”?
Peer facilitation is highly effective and can give adult facilitators insight on some techniques that they can infuse in their own facilitation style. Incorporate peer facilitation in your agenda and allow opportunities for youth to shine as facilitators. It’s two-fold— you are contributing to advancing youth development and you get a little break while you’re at it!

By Khadijah Ali-Coleman