Engaging with Teens in the Museum

What words come to mind when you hear the word ‘teenager’? Or the word ‘adolescence’?

Do you love working with teens or feel a little apprehensive? 

I’ve recently been facilitating some team trainings in museums about how to engage with teenagers and so I’ve been thinking a lot about the best ways to work with teens. It's also a subject I get asked about a lot. 

Here are some tips and ideas for better ways to engage with teenagers in the museum on your guided tours and programmes.

I'm exploring:

• Why our thoughts shape our attitude towards teens
• Seeing teenage behaviour through a developmental lens
• Positive reasons for working with teens
• Creating an inclusive, warm and friendly atmosphere
• The importance of shared ownership
• The role of open-ended questions and careful listening
• Reading the group and avoiding false clues
• Why less is more
• And why teens like to discuss themes of global significance

Links

Support the Show

Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook

Download the NEW resource - how to look at art (slowly)

Curated newsletter by Claire Bown

5 harmful myths and 5 inspiring truths about teenagers - Big Think

Episode 44 - The 4 elements of a great introduction