ABSTRACT
Since ancient times the idea of growing self-awareness has intrigued us. The Buddha once remarked, ‘Since everything is a reflection of our minds, everything can be changed by our minds’. Human beings are likely to be the only creature on the planet with a metacognitive capacity, a core ability to think about our thinking. This is the unique capacity to reflect on past choices, to assess and discuss the value of making changes, to make changes, and to do things differently. The research suggests that when young people are given opportunities to examine their own thinking, the thinking of others and ponder on how they fit into the world with their individual differences, they gradually become more self-aware and build their own identity.
Yet, none of us are born with peak self-awareness, sparkling and ready to shine. It slowly emerges throughout childhood and is polished over time as we grow and experience the world. This chapter presents a collection of intriguing ideas, activities and conversations to support young people make sense of the world, their place in it, to recognise their unique character and shape into a unique identity that serves them comfortably and positively in the future.
