Name and describe three of the guidelines outlined for working with children.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

? Keep it short and simple. The younger the child, the shorter the session: 20 minutes, tops, for younger children and an hour maximum for younger adolescents.
?The play or art that is used should be planned carefully for a specific purpose. The goal behind the play should be therapeutic, not play for its own sake. Care should be taken in working with at-risk children to ensure that play activities are appropriate and do not serve to retraumatize them (Jones, 2002; Jones, Casado, & Robinson, 2003).
?Groups are a wonderful way to work with children and adolescents (Malott, Paone
Humphreys, & Martinez, 2010). They will talk with each other about things, even with an adult present, that they will not share with an adult alone. Sitting in an office and trying to talk with a twelve-year-old boy can leave a counselor feeling like she’s attempting communication with a rock. But put a few boys in there with him, and maybe add an activity, and the energy level—and talking—skyrockets.
?Be real. Remember those “crap detectors,” and allow yourself to be even a bit more spontaneous than usual when counseling adolescents and children. They will know if you’re honest with them.
?Have fun with the activities you plan. If it’s fun for you, it’ll probably be fun for the youngsters as well.
?Think of yourself as a mentor. Promote a little anxiety in your relationships with adolescents, especially the anxiety fostered by appropriately high expectations that creates positive energy in the relationship. Too much anxiety may cause adolescents to become defensive and shut down; too little and they may become bored.
?Find other mentors (coaches, teachers, community adults) for children who don’t have healthy adults in their lives. Children become productive, happy adults by way of their engagement with compelling interests and solid connections with positive adult role models. Help make those connections happen.
?Try not to be put off by repugnant behavior. Somewhere within each child is a deep yearning for emotional engagement and a need to be heard.