Event #2

On Tuesday December 13th I attended Reebok headquarters in Canton, MA for a workshop for up and coming youth workers. This workshop hit all of the targets in what do to do when working with kids in an active environment. The three women that ran the show all gave their two cents and some of their own experiences that worked out for them when working with youth. This workshop showed why it is important to get kids moving and get their blood flowing before their day starts, why they should always be moving even though they are not participating in the activity at that point in time, and numerous drills, skill development strategies, and sayings to keep the kids motivated.

The 15-20 youth workers that were present acted out as the kids for about an hour and half and ran through all of the activities given to us by the three instructors. They talked to us like we were the children and kept us motivated throughout the whole work out. These activities consisted of the skill of the day (situps), team work skills, as well as clapping and motiviating the others participating in the program. We also watched videos on working with the youth and what to do in certain situations and why keeping the kids moving is so important.

For myself, I learned a lot off of this program. I run summer camps as well as clinics for young children that my workers can use in the future. There were many different drills that we did that would be appropriate for the kids that are in my program and would enjoy them. I am glad I went to this workshop not only to learn some new skills to use, but I learned a lot about how to keep the youth healthy (diet), as well as why it is so important to keep them moving and active early in the day.

http://www.parenting.com/child/health/boks-fitness-program-gets-kids-moving%E2%80%94and-learning%E2%80%94-morning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olL9feaX-Fg
http://www.activeschoolsasap.org/acceleration-grants/boks

Nakkula and Tashalis Chapter 2

Context Mapping is a technique used to design a list of things that affect someone's everyday life. This can show out on paper how many individuals/things you deal with on a regular basis without even really recognizing it. James Marcia came up with four different identities when dealing with making a context map.

Achieved Identity- This is when adolescents realize what their basic values are as well as a set of beliefs that they will use in their every day life. An example can be when realizing that you finally like the new job you started after a number of times trying other things out.

Foreclosed Identity- This is when someone commits to something without really having any prior knowledge into what is going on or any background on this particular topic. An example of this can be getting a job that involves kids when you have not really had any prior experience with them.

Diffuse Identity- This stage is when the youth have not really figured out their social identity just yet or even realized what their own personality consists of. An example of this is sitting home not trying to find a job or even attempt to look into what you want to do in your future.

Identity Moratorium- Individuals who are in the middle of a crisis and their commitments are not defined. At the same time they are still seeking for advancements and making attempts. An example could be focusing on a particular subject in school and knowing that is what you want to get in to. But at the same time you second guessing about something else you may want to do.

Event #1

A few weeks ago I attended a baseball coaches convention at Mohegan Sun. This convention offered so much information that I plan on using in the future not only when it comes to baseball but with the youth in after school programs and curricular activities as well. It was a two day convention going over different skills as well as discipline teaching strategies, teamwork strategies, and different ways of communicating with the youth. This convention was held by current MLB Players, College Coaches such as Auburn and Coastal Carolina (defending national champions), as well as numerous MLB pitching and hitting coaches. They all shared their stories about an experience when they were young kids and how a coach changed their lives. They fed off of that and told why they wouldnt be where they were today if it wasn't for that particular person in their childhood lives. I have had a couple of people impact my life and especially during high school. There was one teacher and was also our class advisor that made high school an experience of a life time not only for myself but for my peers as well. I realized after going to this convention that I want to make an impact on a child's life and I want do do something in their childhood years that they will remember for a lifetime and reflect about in the future. I have a great opportunity from where I work that can change someone's life right now and I plan on using the skills that I learned as well as doing a lot of reading from all of the information that I got from the brochures in order to do so.

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/worldbaseballcoaches2016
http://www.ctbaseballacademy.com/worldbaseballpromo.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNtq5EOYoUs

A couple of these links are videos from the annual convention including a lot of information as to what it is all about

Elevator Pitch (What is a youth worker)

Youth workers promote being active and living a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is from a healthy diet or playing sports to keep physically active we need our youth living healthy lifestyles. Obesity in children is a huge factor today and youth workers can help solve that problem. Youth workers can help the youth build communication and social skills. This is very crucial because of the fact that the youth needs to learn how to speak with one another not only with their peers but with adults as well and learn how to go about particular situations. Youth workers should promote after school activities for children and help them get into safe environments rather than out on the streets where trouble can happen. Youth workers should also find areas where certain children are struggling and help them figure out ways that they can succeed and overcome these troubles.  

Rock the Vote

Some questions that people may ask about the election are:
Where do I vote? How do I know who is on my ballot? Can you use technology/cell phone at a polling place? What do I do if the polls close and I am in line?

What makes me want to vote is the fact that this is your right and opportunity to have a say in what goes on in the country. Although it may not seem like your vote counts because of how the election process is set up (especially your vote in RI) it does. Town officials also can see whether you are a registered voter or if you did vote which can be essential for some job opportunities as well, especially for a town worker like myself. You have a little voice and say for who gets elected in your community, state, and country and you always should take advantage. Even if someone does not have a whole lot of knowledge about certain candidates, then do some homework and research their plan, background, etc. What makes people shy away from the voting both is maybe questioning themselves on if they are making the right decision. You want your vote to be the one that impacts you in a positive way and the feeling of second thoughts can get in the way. The election drew me in because of how publicized it was and I wanted to make the right decision. There was so much scrutiny towards the other candidate and by watching the debates and doing some research it really drew me in more than ever when it comes to politics.

Three questions:
What aspects come into play when voting for the right candidate?
Are you confident in the candidate you are behind?
Do you feel others will ridicule you by your decision?  

Youth In Action

When our class went to Youth in Action I have to say that it was an experience that I never had before. In all my time in school I never had the opportunity or have seen the students take over the classroom and show the adults/leaders in the classroom what to do. These students that we were with were very sophisticated and mature individuals. You would never know going into it that these were high school kids if you didn't have the prior knowledge. We separated into two groups doing the same activities and to get the students direction, as well as asking questions to have discussion after the activity was very unique and beneficial because it just had a whole different aspect on the activity. I feel as if students who are engaged in this program have the power of voice to acknowledge how kids can learn from their peers. Doing this may help a student appreciate something that they never thought they would and could change their total opinion on something because of the way it was addressed by the youth. Some people learn better from hearing different voices and approaches from people that they can relate to.

RK Program

You never know what kids or anyone you associate yourself deal with on a daily basis at home. Doing these various techniques and exercises may not only relax someone but at the same time become more diligent in anything they do. Someone may not be performing to the best of their ability because of their stresses and are reprimanded at work / fall behind in school. These programs can definitely go a long way with all ages not only with the youth. Adults in these programs can make them better parents for their children in the long run and can be beneficial if they are going through a hard time with a lot on their minds. These exercises can also build everyday skills for kids that they can use with others they associate themselves with. It also can promote problem solving skills and can help the youth when dealing with a hard topic. Instead of just shutting down and giving up they may build up their confidence and solve the problem with success or at least give it a good effort