One of the most rewarding and effective types of program for teens is also one of the least implemented. Whether a result of a lack of ideas, lack of budget, fear of poor teen response, or a combination of factors teen crafts are often seen as not worth the effort. This session aims to change those misconceptions and bring the popular and social activity of teen crafts back from the heap of long dead programs. It is time to graduate from the paper plate masks! Rise against the decline of craft events and give those idle teen hands something to do! Come, comrades: JOIN THE DIY REVOLUTION!
2. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Crafts are lame! ∙Some teens often like to act too cool for anything It is an act . . . ∙ Everyone likes to make stuff! Especially for free ∙Snacks . . . Have them!
3. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Crafts are for kids! ∙ Don’t underestimate the joys of the childish ∙ Repurpose and “age” the kiddie crafts you know ∙ Young Adults craft all the time It isn’t required to be a hipster douchebag, either! ∙ There are TONS of great crafts out there for teens We’ll show you some, as well as sources for more
4. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Teen crafts must be expensive! ∙ Usually, no more expensive than kid’s crafts ∙ Many crafts involve recycling common items ∙ Many crafts are free or can be done at negligible cost We’ll show you some, as well as sources for more
5. Why should I do crafts for teens? Ummm . . . They’re fun? ∙ Really? Do we need more reason than that? ∙ Crafts foster and encourage creative thinking ∙ Crafts are great opportunities for teen participation and assistance with event planning ∙ They’re fun! Also, I guess there are those 40 developmental asset things . . .
6. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things ∙ List of things that have been linked to guiding young people from high-risk behavior ∙ Most teens experience less than half of these assets ∙ Craft programs can fulfill up to 29/40 of these things
7. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Support ∙ Positive Family Communication ► Parents can do crafts alongside their teens, strengthening bonds and encouraging communication ∙ Other Adult Relationships ► By attending library sponsored craft events, teens are interacting with librarians and media specialists ∙ Caring Neighborhood ► What could be more caring than a library that continually does programs for teens and advocates for those teens? ∙ Caring School Climate ► Having craft events in the media center can help to create a caring and creative environment for students
8. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Empowerment ∙ Community Values Youth ► A library that continually has programs and advocates for youth is helping to create a caring community ∙ Youth as Resources ► Craft events are GREAT opportunities to incorporate your teens and tweens in event planning and execution ∙ Service to Others ► If they are helping to plan the events, they are already serving others, but craft events are perfect opportunities to assist other people ∙ Safety ► Oh, come now! Of all the places a teen/tween might hang out, I feel comfortable saying the library is one of the safest
9. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Boundaries/Expectations ∙ School Boundaries ► Craft events at media centers require participants to follow school rules ∙ Neighborhood Boundaries ► Youth service librarians monitor participants behavior before, during, and after the event ∙ Adult Role Models ► One would hope that Youth Service Librarians and Media Specialists are good role models ∙ Positive Peer Influence ► Participants meet more teens/tweens who spend their time at the library ∙ High Expectations ► Participants are encouraged to do their best, have fun, and clean up
10. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Constructive Use of Time ∙ Creative Activities ► Really, now . . . Do I have to explain why and how crafts satisfy this one? ∙ Youth Programs ► Alright, now. Craft programs = Youth programs. We good?
11. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Commitment to Learning ∙ School Engagement ► The very act of crafting is encouraging creative and analytical thought, resulting in a deeply education experience. Just don’t tell your teens/tweens. ∙ Bonding to School ► Craft events at school create GOOD memories that are associated with that institution, thereby forming a deeper and more emotive student-school bond ∙ Reading for Pleasure ► If your craft event is at the library or media center, you are already halfway there to reading for pleasure. Also, teens/tweens are likely to check out books relating to a craft they enjoyed.
12. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Positive Values ∙ Caring ► The options are near endless when it comes to craft events that help instill a sense of caring and a desire to aid others ∙ Equality and Social Justice ► By participating in craft events designed to help charities (Knit a Square), teens and tweens can take an active role in preventing the suffering of those less fortunate ∙ Responsibility ► Make it clear that participants must clean up their work space after the craft and let them participate in planning and executing a craft event
13. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Social Competencies ∙ Planning and Decision Making ► The very act of working on a craft encourages good planning and decision making skills ∙ Interpersonal Confidence ► Being in close proximity to each other and working on similar craft projects encourages socialization and interaction ∙ Cultural Competence ► Crafts are excellent opportunities for teens/tweens to learn about other social, religious, and cultural backgrounds ∙ Peaceful Conflict Resolution ► There will be moments of conflict regarding craft supplies that are running low or in short supply, providing excellent teaching moments for conflict resolution and compromise
14. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Positive Identity ∙ Personal Power ► Put your teens/tweens in control of the planning and execution of a craft event to give them a sense of ownership and power regarding your events ∙ Self-Esteem ► How does making something with your own two hands that you can take home and show your friends NOT improve self-esteem? ∙ Sense of Purpose ► Once again, by helping to plan and execute these events, you are giving your teens/tweens a sense of having an impact on their world ∙ Positive View of Personal Future ► It really is amazing how making something, anything, can encourage optimism. It is exceedingly difficult to look at the future and expect the worst after making something. Try it!
15. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Who is your target audience? ∙ Obviously, teens and tweens ∙ Are you planning an event with a clique in mind? Otaku, Theater kids, Band kids, Lit kids, Twihards, et al ∙ Talk with some of the teens/tweens that would be participating
16. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Pregame planning ∙ Choose a few potential crafts ∙ Do the crafts yourself! If your primary choice is too hard or boring, switch to backup ∙ Gather enough supplies for your group estimate Get a bit more than you think you will need as it is always good to have extra . . . ∙ Simplify any instructions and remove extraneous information
17. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Marketing the event ∙ Put pictures of the end result on posters and fliers ∙ Display the example/test craft items ∙ If you have the budget for it, have food and make it widely known that food will be at the event
18. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Let’s Make Some Cra . . . Crafts I was totally going to say crafts. Yeah. What? ∙ Have enough time to setup without feeling harried ∙ If possible, have an example at each table ∙ Give your teens/tweens space to craft Don’t over populate a table just to save space ∙ Have enough supplies for extras Most teens will want to do more than one ∙ Be prepared to help
