Middle and High School students participated in the Adolescer Project

Students took part in workshops and activities, offered by educators of the Programa Arvorar Jovem, to reflect on their emotions and the challenges of being a teenager

From October 17 to 25, Middle and High School students participated in the Adolescer Project offered by educators of the Programa Arvorar Jovem. Students took part in workshops and activities to reflect on their emotions and the challenges of being a teenager, especially in these post-pandemic times.

Expanding young people’s awareness of their role as protagonists of their own lives in a world that is in transformation is one of the primary purposes of the Arvorar Jovem Program. Inspired by the principles of the Bahá’í Faith, the Program seeks to align its educational work with the principles and values of the Faith. According to Faezeh Shaikhzadeh, educational psychologist and co-leader of the project, the main themes students learn include viewing adolescence as a time of transformation and understanding the importance of identifying and expressing one’s emotions.

“As we work with different segments, we use specific tools adapted for each age group. However, even with these differences, many things in common permeate the entire periods of pre-adolescence and adolescence,” comments Faezeh.

For João Antônio Gomes, in Grade 8, the workshops will help him in his daily life as a student and teenager. “My experience was positive! The workshop will help because we need to focus on our studies and look at the positive side, such as understanding that our effort will bring us a better life.”

The lecture, “Adolescer: Developing Skills for Life,” allowed parents to share their concerns with educators and receive guidance on how best to support their children during this challenging phase.