Essential Components

Youth Development Programs involve a wide range of different elements of training and learning, including:

1. Self Awareness
   1. Knowing myself
   2. Understanding my feelings
2. Managing Feelings
   1. Managing my expression of emotions
   2. Changing uncomfortable feelings and increasing pleasant feelings
3. Motivation
   1. Working towards goals
   2. Discipline, perseverance, resilience and optimism
   3. Evaluation and review
4. Empathy
   1. Understanding the thoughts and feelings of others
   2. Tolerance and valuing others
   3. Loyalty and supporting others
5. Social Skills
   1. Building and maintaining relationships
   2. Belonging to teams and groups
   3. Solving problems, including interpersonal ones
6. Responsible Decision Making
   1. Making decisions based on a rational approach to decision making
   2. Taking personal responsibility for one's actions