Sparks
The Sparks exploration takes place first because research by Dr. Peter Benson, former leader at the Search Institute, tells us that inner passions, interests and talents catalyze the drive
for personal growth along the road to thriving. As youth reflect about indicators of thriving and select goals, this catalytic force should stay central. Youth will leave with an understanding of the concept of sparks, the ability to identify their own sparks, and an understanding of the importance of having Sparks Champions
Goal Planning
In this part of the program, youth select a goal that grows one or more indicators of thriving. As they strive for their personal goal, adults coach them in goal management skills. Dr. Richard
Lerner at Tufts Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, has demonstrated that young people who develop strong goal management skills are on a positive journey towards thriving. The youth goal management skills are described as an internal GPS guidance system that stands for: Goal Selection, Pursuit of Strategies and Shifting gears in the face of challenges.
Growth Mindset
This stage of the theory helps shift youth to a growth mindset about their abilities and personalities. As they experience the content,
youth develop a belief that the brain acts like a muscle which grows stronger with challenge. Youth understand how the brain learns, and they start to practice a growth mindset which responds to challenge with effort, strategies and seeking help. This growth mindset positions youth to accurately `
Thriving Indicators
From social science research, Thrive has detailed twelve indicators of thriving —the skills and attributes that are necessary to reach one’s full
potential. This stage of the theory supports young people’s reflection about the skills and attributes they have developed and their growth priorities ahead. As a collection, the lessons touch each of the 12 indicators of thriving and they highlight risk factors in the way of thriving. The twelve indicators of thriving that fall within six domains defined by Dr. Richard Lerner of Tufts Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development. Reaching excellence in these domains (the six C’s)— competency, connection, character, caring confidence, and contribution—establishes a youth’s path to his or her full potential.
Thrive theory of change
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The thrive theory of change was developed by four reseachers and is explicitly and implicitly taught in every session of Sparks. The theory is a way of thinking and is integrated into every element of our council. Thrive is composed of four primary elements: Growth Mindsets, Sparks, Goal Planning Strategies, and Thriving Indicators