Noise Noise Noise

In Dr. Seuss’ classic book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we find the Grinch saying: “I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming!” For as the story continues: “Tomorrow, he knew...all the Who girls and boys would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!” I was thinking about this book at our annual Fall Retreat with the middle schoolers. It was a very noisy retreat and to me that is a really, really good thing.

As I’ve worked and enjoyed middle school youth I’ve come to realize that when they are really enjoying something, they get loud. When the band starts to play a song they love, they sing it at the top of their lungs; when a speaker shares something that is really funny or interesting they turn to their friends and talk about it very loudly; and when they have free time, the place erupts with noise as every kid wants all their friends to hear them.

So why is that? In an outstanding book by Barbara Strauch called Primal Teen, she gives this explanation, “The teenage brain may, in fact, be briefly insane. But, scientists say, it is crazy by design. The teenage brain is in flux, maddening and muddled. And that’s how it’s supposed to be.” This idea makes me think that God made them this way. Middle schoolers are just experiencing for the first time different brain waves that they have never experienced before, and they really don’t know how to react. If a person has to react to something they have never experiences before, how do they react? I believe middle schoolers (and there seems to be some science to prove it) react with noise.

So the next time you are setting around with a group of middle schoolers and they are out of control, stop and think:
- Did you say something that was really funny?
- Did a kid or adult volunteer do something that the group has never experienced before?
- Did you just play a song or a video clip that was really cool in their eyes?

If the noise level just went up a few decibels, it might be an indicator that you did something right! So take note: The next few things you say (after they can hear you) will most likely be heard loud and clear.