Engaging Scout Age Boys Presented by: Betsy Radmall, LCSW May 15, 2014.

Engaging Scout Age Boys

Presented by:Betsy Radmall, LCSW

May 15, 2014

Why is this topic important? Scouting helps achieve the following:

Quality Citizens Give meaningful service Obtain as much education as possible. Prepare to become a worthy husband and father. Give proper respect to women, girls, and children. Moral compass Healthy Living

The Basics: Set a good

example Be Genuine and

Enthusiastic Be a Leader not a

Friend You will gain

respect Happy Leaders =Happy Scouts

How Boys Learn: Boys

Gross motor skills Task-focused work More impulsive Competition Less impulse

control

Girls Fine motor skills Multi-Tasking More Self-Control Supportive

Relationships More impulse

control

How Boys Learn: Visual

Have Display Physical Activity

Hands on Goal Driven

Carrot vs. Stick

How Boys Learn: Organized-linear

instructions No narratives One thing at a time

Speak Clearly with loud authoritative voice Use words they

understand Avoid Lecturing

How Boys Learn: Use of Physical

Space Outdoors –Spread

out Demonstrations

Show them what you want them to do

Resolving Conflicts: Come Prepared

Set the Expectation Praise the good

behavior Be direct

Resolving Conflicts: Limit setting

Purpose Protection of the

child Protection of the

group Creates a feeling of

safety Protects the

relationship

Resolving Conflicts: ACT A: Acknowledge

the feeling C: Communicate

the limit T: Target the

alternative

“I know that you’d like to run through the church, but the church is not for running, you can run outside.”

Resolving Conflicts: ACT doesn’t work

add the consequence

Teaches the Child: I know you can

control you life, you can make the

choice

“I know that you are mad and you want to run in the church, but the church is not for running. Outside is for running. If you choose to run again, you choose to sit with me until your parents come to get you.”

Resolving Conflicts: Involve Parents

Ask parents to help with activity

Ask parents about what works at home

Express concern in gentle way

Strengths perspective

Resolving Conflicts: Some conflicts are caused by a

misunderstanding of the child's needs and capabilities.

Gain Understanding of those who you serve who may have special needs.

Special Needs: Physical Disability Mental Illness Developmental

Delays Speech or Hearing

Impaired Children from

Trauma Situations

Autism Spectrum Disorders:

Lower Functio

ning Autism

Higher Functio

n Autism

Spectrum Disorders Communication Social Interactions Behavior

Autism: 1. Communication Repeating words or phrases, sometimes

out of context Less responsive to requests Laughing or crying for no apparent reason Takes communication literally—does not

understand social or verbal innuendos Inability to follow multiple instructions Slow to answer

Autism: 2. Social Interactions Difficulty telling others how they feel or

what they need Awkward social skills or a preference for

being alone Difficulty making eye contact or using

nonverbal communication No sense of danger

Autism: 3. Behavior Difficulty with changes and a preference for

routines Very susceptible to sensory overload. Easily upset

by noise, crowds, too much happening at once, or touch

Unusual play, spinning of objects, or unusually strong attachment to objects

Intense interest in a particular topic (for example, trains, movies, dinosaurs, or animals)

Excessive physical over-activity or under-activity

Autism: Ways to help:

Be friendly not forceful Limit over stimulation Allow them to take breaks Don’t stack questions Don’t tease Be literal do not use sarcasm Talk to parents Do your own research

ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

(ADHD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and focusing on tasks, tends to act without thinking, and has trouble sitting still.

ADHD The three types of ADHD symptoms

include: 1. Trouble paying attention.

People with ADHD are easily distracted and have a hard time focusing on any one task.

ADHD 2. Trouble sitting still for even a short

time. This is called hyperactivity. Children with ADHD

may squirm, fidget, or run around at the wrong times. Teens and adults often feel restless and fidgety and are not able to enjoy reading or other quiet activities.

ADHD 3. Acting before thinking. People with ADHD may talk too loud, laugh too

loud, or become angrier than the situation calls for. Children may not be able to wait for their turn or to share. This makes it hard for them to play with other children. Teens and adults seem to "leap before they look." They may make quick decisions that have a long-term impact on their lives. They may spend too much money or change jobs often.

ADHD Ways to help:

Allow for frequent breaks

Engage Allow them to stand Break things in

steps Repeat instruction

in different ways Ask for their

attention

Trauma Abuse Neglect Adverse Childhood

Experiences

Affects the way the brain develops.

Trauma Younger children

Problems eating/feeding

Breathing problems Sleep disturbances Sensory integration Developmental

delays Relational problems Cognitive delays

Older Children Impairs ability to

enjoy relationships Trouble controlling

anger and anxiety Long to be taken

care of but afraid to trust others

Self-defeating feelings

Trauma How to help

Acknowledge it Provide consistency and predictability Clear expectations Give factual information Protect Give choices and control

Thank you!

The EndQuestions ???

Contact information:betsyradmall.net

[email protected]