The SPAN Youth Hub

Getting involved in sports is a great way to meet new people, build confidence, and maybe discover a new passion or hobby. From baseball and hockey, to chess and esports, it’s never been easier to find a sport that’s right for you. Featuring… What Are Your Favorite Sports? Some of us have already discovered our favorite sport, while others haven't quite found theirs yet. This is perfectly ok, as choosing a favorite sport doesn't come naturally to everyone. There are many to choose from, and the options can seem overwhelming.  Luckily, there are different ways to find a particular sport that you can enjoy. This can be as easy as getting hooked onto a sport you play for the first time, as explained in this adorable short YouTube video, What Are Your Favorite Sports?  How to Get Into A New Sport So you've discovered a new sport that your interested in. Is there anything you can do, besides playing, to learn more about the sport. The answer is yes! Reading up on the sport's...

Music can have a deep impact on the human mind.  Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.  Let’s learn about the power of music, and how it can benefit us both mentally and physically. Featuring… How Does Music Affect Your Brain? Music has been a part of human history since it's beginning. However, only in recent years have studies shown it's true effects on the brain. This YouTube video from Wired.com explores how listening to music can lead to finding inspiration, improving your mood, and even allowing you to connect with others. Your Brain On Music Music has such an impact on our brains, because each part of our brain responds to music on it's own. We were able to find an interactive map of the brain on ucf.edu. , that goes into detail on how each and every part of the brain has it's own response to the sound of music.  Keep Your Brain Young with Mu...

Whether it’s a future job, an important party, or an everyday hangout, planning is crucial to make sure everything, well, goes to plan! Planning is a skill that not everyone gets right away, but anyone can master over time.  Let’s chat about the do’s and don't's of making plans. Featuring… What Is An Action Plan? Everyone has goals, yet some people seem to be more successful than others in achieving them. That’s because people who accomplish goals at a higher rate are those who have developed a personal action plan. In this short YouTube video, Brian Tracy, an awarded author and public speaker, details 7 different ways to create an Action Plan. Making An Effective Action Plan Part of making a good Action Plan isn't just detailing what you want to happen; equally, it's about avoiding the things you don't want to happen. This blog post from creately.com shows off 6 ways to improve your Action Plan, as well as how to keep your plan updated and flexible, so that if any...

Self-advocacy, the practice of speaking up for your rights and well-being, is a topic I'm sure many of us are familiar with. Every month, as part of the Youth Empowerment series, we touch on different topics relating to self-advocacy; this includes unique and important ways you can advocate for yourself. This time, we're covering special lessons and personal stories about youth learning to become self-advocates. Featuring… Advocacy Activities There are some fun ways to learn about self-advocacy, for those unfamiliar with it. On the explore-work.com  webpage, there are many different ways to explore the topic. There's short videos on self-advocacy, self-reflection journals, guides on taking action, and plenty more. This site is a great hub of resources, each of which can be explored on your own time.  Encouraging Self-Advocacy While self-advocacy relies on making your own decisions and plans, there's nothing stopping your family and friends from offering their support. P...