Self-guided activities for adolescents
Guides and tools for adolescents to learn and stay engaged independently while participating in programmes remotely
One of the most important and helpful interventions supported by the Adolescent Kit is simply bringing adolescents together with their peers, and with a supportive adult facilitator. But in some emergencies and other contexts, such as epidemics or pandemics or violent conflicts, it may not be safe for adolescents to gather outside their homes or shelters, or even to be in proximity with others.
To support adolescents in these situations, UNICEF has adapted selected resources from the Adolescent Kit for Expression and Innovation to support programmes for adolescents that involve adolescents learning and participating in activities independently, to promote their psychosocial wellbeing and support them in learning new skills in times of stress that may involve isolation and restricted movement. Initially developed to support adolescents and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, these programme guides and activities for self-guided learning can be used in any context of restriction, where adolescents are unable to gather due to safety concerns, social norms, disease outbreaks requiring social distancing, etc. These guides offer activities that adolescents can self-administer wherever they are, to promote their own psychosocial wellbeing and learn new skills during times of stress, isolation and interruptions in their formal education.
An introductory guide to the Adolescent Kit's self-guided learning package for programme coordinators provides an overview of the approaches and activities in the self-guided learning package, along with strategies for communicating with and delivering activity guides to adolescents who may be isolating or under stay-at-home protocols. It also includes two quick guides, one for facilitators who support adolescents' participation in activities remotely, and one for parents and caregivers to support adolescents in enjoying and benefiting from self-guided learning. The self-guided learning package also includes twelve activity guides, designed to be administered to adolescents either digitally via mobile device, or on printed cards, as well as a package of energizers and a package of inspiration cards.
The Adolescent Kit's self-guided learning package was initially conceptualized by UNICEF Colombia, then developed through a collaboration with UNICEF's global Adolescent Development and Participation team together with UNICEF teams in Jordan, Lebanon and Tajikistan. UNICEF Thailand also translated and adapted the self-guided learning materials to support adolescents' learning and emotional and psychosocial wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis.
UNICEF strongly encourages face-to-face programmes and interventions, such as those supported by the Adolescent Kit's main guides and tools found on this site, whenever adolescents can safely gather with peers and facilitators, so they may best enjoy the opportunities to connect and collaborate on activities and projects together. However, the adapted resource for self-guided learning offers practical materials that programme coordinators and facilitators can use for temporary remote programmes when stay-at-home orders for safety or protection are in place, and/or for use together with the original Adolescent Kit materials to create hybrid programmes.
