Child and Youth Development, Essay Example

The child and youth development course provided me with an essential knowledge that has acted as a base to help me understand the priorities that I should consider when working with children and youth in the community. Some of these priorities include knowing how to interact with their parents and other people living with them (“Working with Children and Youth-Module 7: Colonization and Indigenous Youth”, 2020). Another critical priority to consider is how to deal with issues facing them like a trauma that bring different effects in their life, hence affecting their behavior. Having the ability to observe a child’s behavior is also crucial because it helps us understand how to respond to their behavior changes.

It is essential to understand the complexity associated with interacting and working with children and youth. We must know that they have their history and contemporary practices that are changing with time, and therefore there is a need to seek collaboration. It was fascinating to learn that trauma affects the brain structures of a child. Sometimes, it can make them view adults as a threat rather than a source of protection. All the above aspects are important to master because knowing how and being able to communicate well with children and youth we work with is essential (“Working with Children and Youth-Module 6: Trauma and Trauma-Informed Practice with Children and Youth Part 1”, 2020). Listening and being authentic when working with children helps us be aware of the problems they face and solve them accordingly.

In terms of establishing healthy working relationships with children and youth, the foundations of these relationships include doing continuous learning about them and demonstrating humility (“Working with Children and Youth-Module 7: Colonization and Indigenous Youth”, 2020). These aspects help us create the right relationships that enable us to collaborate better with each other. According to lecture four on behaviors, understanding that a child’s behavior comes within the child, and knowing how to respond to instill change is essential. I also learned that when working with youth and children, we should encourage them to maintain clarity, focus, and learn to express themselves before others. We can uphold these relationships by facilitating some appropriate resources and support that make children and youth gain confidence and interact with others effectively.

We can establish these relationships by trying to analyze why some children behave the way they do. After considering that, it is essential to think if we can manipulate or eliminate the cause of those behaviors (“Working with Children and Youth-Module 4: The Social Construction of Behavior Part 1”, 2020). The lecture explains that, according to Dr. Stuart Ablon and Dr. Ross Greene, children will do better when they can. If they can’t do good, it the duty of those who interact with them to figure out what is getting on their way. There is a need to avoid frustration and anger if we want to establish good relationships with youth and children and instead learn to express compassion and empathy.

References

Working with Children and Youth-Module 7: Colonization and Indigenous Youth. (2020). Lecture.

Working with Children and Youth-Module 6: Trauma and Trauma-Informed Practice with Children and Youth Part 1. (2020). Lecture.

Working with Children and Youth-Module 4: The Social Construction of Behaviour Part 1. (2020). Lecture.