Since it's founding in 1997, the CYC-Net discussion group has been asked thousands of questions. These questions often generate many replies from people in all spheres of the Child and Youth Care profession and contain personal experiences, viewpoints, as well as recommended resources.
Below are some of the threads of discussions on varying Child and Youth Care related topics.
Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisMy name is Domenic Chiappetta and I am currently in my second
year in Child and Youth Care Counselling at Mount Royal University. I
just started my practicum in a school setting a few weeks ago, and I
have noticed the teachers don't handle a situation, when a child is
acting out, the same way we are being taught in our classes.
I am curious about how I should go about this
situation because I am new there and staff have much more experience
being around these kids?
Thank you,
Domenic
...
Domenic a great question and I appreciate that you are stepping back
to consider what makes most sense for you to do for all involved.
Your curiosity will continue to serve you well in your practicum.
In fact if you combine curiosity with compassion, as you watch what is
occurring, this may help you to frame questions that invite the other to
share how they have arrived at the practice choices they are making.
It may be that part of their practice is based on the rules at the
school and thus in some areas there is limited choice. Or it may
be experiences with that particular child or it may be that they know no
other way. They are also more likely to be more open to any
suggestions you have when you have illustrated an openness to the
practice choices they are making.
Just like anyone we work with
consider that they are doing their best, that best can always get better
and that you can almost count on all believing that whatever they are
doing their intent is, in some way, to be helpful.
I hope this
is helpful for you.
Janet
...
Hi Domenic,
I remember going through the same thing my first
time in practicum and the advice I was given (which worked really well)
was simply to ask. If it makes you more comfortable really play up the
'new to the field student' thing, but just remember you are there to
learn, so ask the teacher why they feel that's the best approach. Don't
do it in a confrontational way, just say you want to understand. As you
said they do know the kids better and maybe their approach is the only
one that works. Also, keep in mind every setting will have different
rules and expectations (both stated and assumed) on how to handle
different situations. Once you understand why the teachers are using the
approach they are maybe you can try to come up with new ideas if you
feel it's necessary. Keep in mind though different doesn't necessarily
mean wrong. You didn't give all the details so I'm not sure what their
approach is but that leaves open the possibility that it's simply
different. One of the biggest things I think we have to learn in this
field is to be open and adaptable. Situations like yours are the best
way to practice :)
Good luck!
Megan Besner
…
As a practicum student, and without knowing the context of what's
expected from your placement, I would guess that this is a time to
observe and learn. Teachers are trained in different kinds of classroom
management that may not look like the kind of approaches you've learned.
The other thing to consider is learning in the classroom and learning in
the field can look very different.
Instead of coming from a
place of sharing with the teachers what you've learned (unless they
ask), ask them about their approach to see why they do what they do.
Then you can take what you've seen and compare it with your own values,
and reflect on what kind of youth care worker you want to be.
It's definitely possible that you may disagree with everything the
teacher does, and that will give you the awareness of the traits you
don't want to have. It doesn't mean your ideas don't have merit and
value, because they definitely do, there will be time to put them into
practice as you gain real world experience.
Just watch and
learn, ask questions, reflect on why you might be reacting the way you
are and how your own experiences in education have shaped you.
Evelyn Downie
Halifax, Nova Scotia
