Creating thinking space for young people
Creating a Thinking Environment: Observations of my work with young people
10/14/20251 min read
As I prepare to create another Thinking environment with my youth group, a common pattern I have noticed comes to mind.
A pattern I’ ve observed during my 1-2-1 work with young people, those finishing school or college, starting or completing their studies, or navigating one of life’s biggest transitions, leaving the safety and security of their home.
When I ask them what they would like to talk about or think about, they very often pause and respond ‘I don’t know; what should I think about?’ and then they wait for me to tell them…
But once they realize it’s their time and place to think and I won’t even get tempted to answer for them, something shifts.
What’s truly in their minds surfaces:
this thing that really bothers them, the relationship they don’t know how to handle, the challenge they are struggling with, the decision they are unsure about…
Whatever has been sitting quietly in their thoughts seeking for some clarity or reassurance, finally finds its way into words.
All they needed was time, safety and permission to think out loud. It’s that simple and that powerful.
That’s the magic of the Thinking Environment.
Maybe the greatest gift we can offer young people isn’t advice, it’s just space to think.
