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On a rainy Thursday, I asked a new group of teens to sort a pile of “values” cards. One student kept sliding loyalty into “Very Important,” then quietly moved it back to “Not Sure.” After a pause he said, “I used to think loyalty meant keeping secrets. Now I think it means telling the truth when it matters.” Heads around the circle nodded. That is the work: taking big words and making them real, personal, and usable.
Values work in adolescence isn’t about preaching. It’s about offering language, choices, and practice—so teens can feel the difference between acting from pressure and acting from purpose.
Why core values matter for teens (therapist lens)
- Identity formation: Values give teens a vocabulary for who they are becoming.
- Decision-making under pressure: Naming priorities reduces impulsivity and people-pleasing.
- Belonging and boundaries: Shared values create connection; clarified values protect limits.
- Mental health support: Meaning and purpose correlate with resilience, motivation, and hope.
Facilitator note: Open with group agreements—confidentiality limits, one-mic speaking, respect for differences, and permission to pass. Model curiosity over correctness.
How to set up a safe, engaging values session
- Room setup: Chairs in a circle, one empty seat for flexibility. Keep walls calm; post agreements.
- Materials hub: Sticky notes, markers, painter’s tape, large paper, and a simple values deck (or print your own).
- Time: 45–60 minutes works well. Use a visible timer to contain role-plays and debates.
- Warm-up: One-word check-in: “A value I noticed in myself this week was __.”
Activity 1: Values Card Sort Challenge
Goal: Build self-awareness; normalize differences.
Materials: Printable values cards (40–60), three table signs: Very Important / Somewhat Important / Not Important.
Time: 12–15 minutes.
Steps:
- Give each teen a stack of 20–30 value words.
- Sort into the three categories quickly—go with gut.
- Narrow “Very Important” down to a Top 5.
- In pairs, share one surprise and one certainty. Optional group share.
Debrief prompts:
- Which Top 5 was hardest to choose and why?
- Where do your values come from—family, culture, friends, faith, experiences?
- When do your values feel in conflict?
SEL skills: Self-awareness, perspective-taking.
Variations: Add two wildcards teens can write in themselves.
Facilitator tip: Remind them there are no “right” values—only honest ones.
Activity 2: “Stand on the Line”
Goal: Practice respectful disagreement and nuance.
Materials: Painter’s tape line on the floor; signs: Strongly Disagree → Strongly Agree.
Time: 12–15 minutes.
Prompts to read aloud:
- “Helping others is more important than personal success.”
- “Telling the truth is always the right choice.”
- “It’s okay to break a promise to protect someone’s feelings.”
Steps:
- Teens stand on the line where they land for each prompt.
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share why.
- Offer one minute to move if they changed their mind after hearing others.
Debrief prompts:
- What made you shift (or stay) where you stood?
- How can two people share a value but act differently?
SEL skills: Critical thinking, communication, flexibility.
Safety note: Keep hypotheticals general; avoid pressuring personal disclosures.
Activity 3: Values Scenarios Role-Play
Goal: Link values to real decisions under stress.
Materials: Scenario cards (brief dilemmas).
Time: 15–18 minutes.
Sample scenarios:
- A teacher misgrades your test in your favor. You value honesty and fairness.
- Your friend asks you to skip practice; you value responsibility and friendship.
- A group chat trashes a classmate; you value kindness and belonging.
Steps:
- Small groups of 3–4 choose one scenario.
- Plan a 60–90 second role-play showing a values-based choice.
- Perform; audience names the values they observed.
Debrief prompts:
- Which value felt hardest to act on here?
- What support would make a values-based choice easier in real life?
SEL skills: Problem-solving, assertiveness, boundary-setting.
Variation: “Dual endings”—play a choice aligned with values and one that isn’t; compare outcomes.
Activity 4: Top 5 Values Poster Walk
Goal: Visualize identity; build peer understanding.
Materials: Poster paper or slide templates, markers, magazines for collage, glue, washi tape.
Time: 15 minutes create + 10 minutes gallery walk.
Steps:
- Each teen titles a poster “My Top 5 Values.”
- Add a brief why under each value and one symbol or picture.
- Post around the room; silent gallery walk with sticky-note compliments (“I see your courage in…”).
Debrief prompts:
- Which value do you live easily? Which needs practice?
- What surprised you about the group’s values?
SEL skills: Expression, empathy, esteem-building.
Therapist tip: Photograph posters (with consent) to revisit later.
Activity 5: Values in Action: One-Week Challenge
Goal: Turn insight into habit.
Materials: “Values → Action” cards (value, tiny step, when/where).
Time: 8–10 minutes to plan; check-in next session.
Steps:
- Choose one value to practice this week.
- Write a tiny, specific action (“Text my coach if I’ll be late” for responsibility).
- Share with a partner; set a reminder.
Debrief next week:
- What got in the way? What helped?
- Do you want to keep this action or tweak it?
SEL skills: Goal-setting, accountability, self-efficacy.
Facilitator tip: Celebrate effort, not perfection.
Activity 6: “Value or Rule?” Sorting Mini-Game
Goal: Differentiate internal values from external rules.
Materials: Mixed cards: examples like “No phones after 9 p.m.” (rule) vs. “Rest matters” (value).
Time: 8–10 minutes.
Steps:
- Teams sort into “Rule” or “Value.”
- Discuss: Which rules protect values? Which conflict with them?
Why it matters: Teens feel less reactive when they can see the why beneath a rule—and decide if that why is theirs, too.
Activity 7: Reflection Circle Closer
Goal: Integrate learning; strengthen group cohesion.
Materials: Talking piece (small stone, soft ball).
Time: 8 minutes.
Prompt options:
- “A value I want to bring into this week is __, and I’ll try it by __.”
- “I felt most ‘me’ when __.”
- “One value I respect in someone here is __ because __.”
Counselor note: Allow passes; silence can be reflective, not avoidant.
Printable prompts you can use today
- “Describe a time you chose a value over approval.”
- “Which value do you want friends to associate with you?”
- “When two values collide, which one do you usually choose first—and why?”
- “What would your 10-year-older self thank you for choosing today?”
Troubleshooting & inclusion notes
- Performance anxiety: Offer write-only or partner-share alternatives.
- Cultural nuance: Invite teens to add values significant in their family/community.
- Trauma sensitivity: Keep scenarios low-stakes; avoid graphic or identity-targeted content.
- Neurodiversity: Provide visual schedules, concrete examples, and optional movement breaks.
FAQs
Do teens need a premade deck?
No. Write 40–60 words on cards: honesty, respect, creativity, compassion, loyalty, courage, curiosity, independence, community, justice, health, learning, family, fun, rest, faith/spirituality, etc.
What if a teen says, “I don’t have values”?
Try a strengths doorway: “What do people rely on you for?” or “What makes you proud?” Then label the underlying value.
How do I handle conflict during the line game?
Re-center agreements: curiosity, no personal attacks, speak from “I,” and permission to change your mind.
How often should we revisit values?
Monthly works well. Identities evolve; values can, too. Re-sort and compare.
Can this fit a 30-minute school block?
Yes. Run one warm-up + one activity + quick closer. Rotate weekly.
Simple materials list
- Values cards (printable) and sticky notes
- Painter’s tape for line activity
- Markers, poster paper, glue sticks
- Timer, talking piece
- Optional: a storage pouch to make a reusable “Values Kit”
Conclusion
Values work gives teens more than words—it gives them a compass. When a young person can say, “I chose this because it aligns with who I am,” you’ll see anxiety soften and confidence rise. Start with one activity, keep the tone curious, and return to the conversation often. Clarity grows with practice.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Eve, a former school counselor with a master’s degree in School Psychology and a passionate advocate for children and families navigating sensory challenges. As a mom of children with sensory sensitivities, I deeply understand the journey special-needs parents face, and I dedicate myself to researching and sharing practical solutions to help children thrive and feel comfortable in their bodies. My goal is also to empower counselors, therapists, and psychologists with creative strategies and supportive resources to enrich their everyday practice. When I’m not writing or exploring new therapeutic approaches, you’ll find me spending quality time with my family and continually seeking inspiration from everyday moments.
