Activities

The Choose Respect initiative has developed plays, or activities, to provide opportunities for teens and adults to learn and communicate with each other about healthy dating relationships.  The activities below can be adapted for use by adults working within teen-serving community organizations. 

For Use with Teens

Let's Talk Respect. This activity uses a talk show format and audience participation to get a lively debate going among teens. The talk show host and “guests” present dating scenarios to the audience. The audience and the guests discuss relationships―what is healthy, what is not―and learn what to do if a friend is in a violent relationship. Download PDF [307 KB]

Get Into the Act. This activity sets up dating and friendship scenarios and lets teens act them out with guidance from an adult or older youth leader. They talk about what behavior is acceptable, what is not, and how to choose respect. Download PDF [266 KB]

For Use with Parents and Other Adults

Get Choose Respect Know How! This activity trains parents and adults who work with teens how to “talk the talk and walk the walk” of respect. Not only do they learn the right things to say to teens, they learn how to be role models for the teens in their lives. Download PDF [433 KB]

Game On! This activity is a training just for coaches of school or youth sports. Coaches learn strategies to support healthy relationships among players on the field and on the streets. Download PDF [507 KB]

Next Question, Please. This activity encourages parents and caregivers to have an “interview session” with teens to discuss what qualities to look for in a dating partner. You also can talk honestly about what it means to give respect and how to get it from friends. When used in a group setting, parents and teens can learn from each other's experiences. Download PDF [294 KB]

For Community Organizations

Share the Vision. This activity takes you through the all important “first date” for community partners. In this first meeting, you establish the basis for a shared vision of respect in the community. Download PDF [176 KB]

Respect Bill of Rights. This activity shows how to compare your organization's policy and procedures that govern behavior to an ideal set of ground rules and make any necessary improvements. Download PDF [561 KB]

Media Blitz. This activity explains how to reach your target audience and blanket your community with Choose Respect messages through traditional and electronic media. Download PDF [154 KB]

These are just some of the activities listed in the Choose Respect Playbook.

Additional Resources

Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse and Violence. These two videos educate teens, parents, and other adults about healthy and unhealthy dating relationships and help them recognize warning signs for dating violence.