Discuss some of the ways in which children can engage in initial discussions with a social worker. How can they be made comfortable? What is the role of toys in establishing a comfortable environment?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Children are a special type of potential client as they are rarely applicants themselves but rather are usually referred by teachers or family members for concerns others have about their behavior. Practitioners who interview children often find it useful to have available a small number of toys or items that children can manipulate with their hands as well as materials for drawing pictures. Such tools or devices seem to reduce tension for children in communicating with unfamiliar adults and assist them in telling their story. Children may be unfamiliar with having conversational exchanges with unfamiliar adults. As children and adolescents are often referred because adults are concerned about their behavior, and they may therefore be particularly resistant, the practitioner can clarify that he or she wants to hear how things are going from the child's or adolescent's viewpoint.