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 thisHello,
My name is Ashley Nussbaum and I am a second year student at Mount Royal
University in Calgary. Currently I am doing my practicum as a Family School
Wellness worker (in school counsellor position) in a middle school that
hosts students in grades 5-8. My previous practicum was also in a school
setting which has lead me to compare the two to find conflicting beliefs
about the roles in the school.
For my observation practicum in my first year I was working with someone in
the same position but in a different school division and they use the
position in a very different way. In this school the counsellor was mostly
sent children who got in fights on the playground or argued with the teacher
several times. I saw the position as more of a disciplinary role in the
school in that she saw all the children who got pink slips. However instead
of disciplining the children she would work to teach them and have them
practice different skills for if the child found himself in the same
position at a later date. At the time I thought that it would be very
effective use of the counsellor because instead of just telling a child what
they shouldn't do they are modeling and teaching skills that I think will be
more beneficial than having the child sit in the office for a few days at a
time.
I was discussing the idea with my current supervisor and she explained to me
that she stays as far away from the discipline area as she can because she
feels that if you discipline a child they would not want to be counseled by
you and would be less receptive to what you would have to say.
I found the two opinions to be quite different and interesting. My question
is what do you believe the role of a counsellor should be in the school
system and should they have involvement in the disciplinary area of the
school?
I look forward to hearing your opinion.
Ashley Nussbaum
...
Hi Ashley,
I too had an observation practicum in my first year and it was in a middle
school in a smaller town. The CDA (Child development Advisor) at this
school sounds like she was similar to the first you had shadowed, she was a
counselor that included discipline where it was needed and on an appropriate
level. When a group of young girls got into a rather large vicious fight
that extended onto face book and started to ripple out through the whole
grade, the CDA at this school took on both a disciplinary role and a
counselor role. She approached the subject with caution and care and was
able to touch upon the discipline issues within the fight but also was able
to add counseling skills as well. She used logical examples and consequences
to show the girls what their fight had caused but also highlighted on
positive strengths that she knew about the girls and their friendship. In
this she did not come across as an authoritarian discipliner. She set up a
friendship group for the girls to meet once a week with her and in these
groups they would go over view perspectives, listening skills, empathy and
stress management to name a few things. The girls knew they had done
something wrong but did not feel belittled or negative about being held
accountable for it because of the way she approached them.
I agree that the skills the counselor is able to teach the children and
youth are very valuable. I found that within the school I was at, the
teachers were stretched thin and often had a “no nonsense” view of the
children in their classes. As soon as the smallest thing happened they would
send the child out of the class and to the CDA or principle. They simply did
not want any interruptions in their classes. I understand that yes, they
have specific goals and plans they need to accomplish and with class sizes
expanding it can be quite stressful but quickly dismissing a child for being
restless or loud does not teach the child anything. For most of these
children, the walk to the CDA and simple chat about why they were acting up
was cleared up in minutes. The teachers could have easily diffused these
situations by discretely pulling the child aside and conversing with them,
instead of publicly dismissing them in front of their peers. The CDA when
speaking with these children, asked for their opinions on what had happened
and then got the child to brainstorm ways to prevent the incident from
happening again. She also touched on the other side of the story and asked
the children how their teacher might feel. She worked with the children,
rather than against them. Most of the suggestions were simple things like “I
could ask to go get a drink of water to stretch my legs” If the teachers
approached situations like this it would strengthen the communication and
respect between them and their students. I definitely saw the respect that
was gained for the CDA from these children when they were approached in a
calm respectful manner, included in solutions and reminded of other
strengths they had. As well to point out, almost all these interactions were
quick and did not take much time at all, so if teachers say they don’t have
the time, I would not agree at all. In building relationships and respect
with students classrooms could be a much more positive space. If a teacher
does require the CDA’s assistance I believe it would be beneficial for the
teacher to at least check in with the student later or after class, to
ensure they leave school with a positive note between them. The school year
is long enough without a child resenting or feeling bitter about their
teachers.
When your current counselor says that the children would be less receptive,
I agree it can happen, but only if they are approached in a manner that
makes them respond negatively. The approach to discipline that I experienced
in my first year is the complete opposite, again working with the children
rather than against them. Teaching them skills to communicate (skills they
can use throughout life) highlighting on their strengths to increase their
self-esteem, being firm but being kind. The CDA office at the school in my
first practicum was very busy, the children liked talking to her and were
much more likely to come back to her in the future to get assistance with
problems including those outside of school. I think that discipline
the word itself, holds such a negative connotation, and it seems to go far
back to the days when a child was smacked with a ruler for their
indiscretions.
It may be that this is the current turning point for
such beliefs. Which makes it that much more important for the role of
the Child and Youth Care counselors within schools to use counseling and
discipline skills together.
Sadly the school I was at did not have the funds to hire a second CDA. If
they had, I believe that meetings between the CDA and the teachers could
help to highlight some of these points and maybe share tips and skills to
help the children in their classes. I also see the benefit of the
possibility of a CDA being able to visit classes periodically and assist
teachers. An amazing thing that I did see was that the principle herself was
open to learning from the CDA and did not hesitate to ask her to be present
in the times that children did find themselves in the principal's office
(There is hope!). Between those two women I saw the successful combination
of being firm but respectful.
Having shared these thoughts, a question I might ask is, if the counselor is
not willing to discipline and the teachers are too busy or stressed to even
attempt it (which I have found to be the case in many schools I have
visited) where are these children going to learn discipline? What if acting
out is cry for attention, or a sign of needing help and direction in their
lives that they might be lacking at home? Maybe their actions are the result
of a bully that the school is unaware of? (Something the school needs to
address). If it is ignored then it is likely to grow and get worse, helping
them when they are younger is the best way to help prepare them for their
future.
These are just my thoughts of course and they come from my limited
experiences within the schools I have visited! I am interested in hearing
the thoughts of my fellow CYCC associates. Hope this helps or gives you some
ideas!
Stacy den Hollander
Mount Royal University
...
Hi Ashley,
My name is Sherry Robertshaw. I am also a student in second year at Mount
Royal University. I was a volunteer in a school with a Child and Youth Care
Counsellor. I had the opportunity to work closely with this counsellor and
in this school the counsellor also worked with the children who got pink
slips. The counsellor worked with these children by helping them to develop
strategies and skills to resolve their conflicts in more productive and
positive manners. In most instances the root of the behavior was unveiled
within this process giving opportunity for the cause of the behavior to be
treated.
The counsellor helped the children identify their personal strengths and
provided them with resources for positive change, growth and healing.The
children were required to take responsibility for their actions.Discipline
does not have to be negative or punitive when the time is taken to develop
the knowledge of positive strategies and skills for coping and changing.
These are some of the skills CYCW's acquire through
their education and practical experiences. It is my opinion this is the best
form of discipline and essential to effective counseling.
The counsellor was well liked and respected by the children and I believe
his empathy, fairness,understanding and caring attitude allowed the children
to feel safe to approach him with any situation.The counsellor at this
school was also involved with all the students by organizing recreational
and social activities in which he engaged the students participation with
some of the planning. He also took the time to recognize and acknowledge
desired behaviors of all students.
This counsellor had effectively developed positive relationships with the
majority of the students and created a caring safe environment for everyone.
This counsellor had a great deal of influence on my choice to pursue a
career as a Child and Youth Care Worker. I hope this helps with your
question and I would be curious to know your observations and comparative
opinion of the two very different styles and ideals.
Sherry Robertshaw
