Value tree: what is it and how is this educational technique used?

What is the tree of values? Let's see what this technique used in children's education consists of.

The tree of values is an activity mainly used to instill principles of life in children.. It is generally used in a child population, but depending on the case, and with some adjustments, it could also be useful in adults.

In the following article we will review everything related to this technique, what is the main way to use it, and the contexts in which it could be used to motivate people.

What is the tree of values and what is its purpose?

The value tree is designed to enable people to discover what is really important in their lives, that is, to engage in a process of self-discovery and to realize which values define their way of being.

First, participants are presented with a series of values that are easily recognizable to them, with the intention that they are able to select them and explain for themselves what the value they have selected is about.

In this way, they are given the opportunity to recognize what is really important to them, and the facilitator has the opportunity to expand on the participant's prior knowledge of the value they have selected.

Values are usually explained through examples, stories, and tales. and other similar resources; so that the participants, who are generally children, feel more motivated to become involved in this knowledge and to practice it in their daily lives.

The values that are most frequently worked on are the following: responsibility, respect for others, punctuality, orderliness, perseverance, empathy, self-control, collaboration with others, and non-violence.

Nevertheless, this activity is easily moldable and can be used to teach any value that is considered relevant, depending on the framework in which it is used.depending on the framework in which the dynamic is applied. Not all people have the same needs, and this activity is easily adaptable to the requirements of the participants.

How does this technique work?

Although the technique can be practiced in different ways, according to the convenience of the facilitator, it must always consist of three fundamental parts in order to be well applied. Let's see what they are.

1. Exposure of behaviors

In this first part the facilitator proceeds to show the participants the range of available values, based on a series of behaviors.based on a series of behaviors. In other words, they are not given a direct explanation of each value, but are shown a situation in which each of the values to be worked on is involved.

2. Identifying the value

Secondly, after having listened to the facilitator's stories about each of the values to be worked on, the participants must clearly identify which value has been the protagonist in each of the stories and examples given by the instructor.

In general, this is done jointly, among several participants. Depending on the size of the working group, small groups could even be formed in which they compete among themselves to get the most values correct.

3. Visual sorting

Finally, once all the participants or groups of participants have explained the values behind each story, the visual representation of these values is made in the form of a tree.

This last phase of the exercise consists of having the participants They should use their artistic resources to draw a tree, in which all the values that were previously worked on should be visible..

Normally the values are represented by the leaves of the trees, or among the foliage of the tree. They should be arranged in a hierarchical order, in which the most important values for the subject are located at the top of the hierarchy.. Values that are not so important will go towards the bottom of the tree.

Although this part of the exercise can also be done jointly, keeping the same groups as in the previous phases, it is important that the facilitator makes it clear that each participant must make his or her own tree.

Expected results

The results expected after applying this activity have to do with the young people generating a code of values at a personal level, which will allow them to feel comfortable applying these principles in their daily lives. The tree of values is a technique that helps to a great extent to establish an adequate moral development in infants and children..

In the case of adults, it is advisable to apply this technique to show them the benefits that they will begin to have from the moment they start implementing these values in their daily lives.

In general, the tree of values is used in the adult population when they are subjects who are participating in some type of rehabilitation, regardless of the case.regardless of the case, or also for those who are in the process of being reintegrated into society.

Bibliographical references:

• Vallés, A. (1999). How to change children's behavior. Guide for parents. Alicante: Editorial Marfil.