The field of Child and Youth Care is unique, and there is no one specific way of how to help a child. Maybe I’ll be teaching a child how to rollerblade, or they will be teaching me. Perhaps I am making a craft with the child, and somehow, that craft creates the perfect teaching moment. At face value, it can be hard to think about how I could come up with ideas for the children to engage with throughout their day while integrating life skills or lessons. An easy start is to begin with the talents I already have, as well as continually learning new skills throughout my life, so as to better suit every child’s needs that come my way! Below, I will list 5 talents/abilities that I have now and how I can incorporate them into my life as a Child And Youth Practioner.
I can dance!
When I was 15 years old, I learned how to dance by watching YouTube videos and dance movies. I was a very shy pre-teen, and dance helped to break me out of my shell, as well express the emotions I was feeling. Dance was always a very good therapy for me, and it helped me get through a lot of my own trauma and grief. I taught my self many different styles of dance, which include hip-hop, contemporary, and variations of hip-hop. Through my career as a professional nanny and babysitter, this skill has always, always, worked to help children/youth open up to me. There have been many times where a child did not trust me yet or show any interest in talking to me, and as soon as I showed them my skills, they immediately lit up!
Dance is an important part of pop-culture, of which many kids these days are exposed to. When they see me dancing like their favourite musicians, to their favourite musicians, they often think of me as someone they can trust.
I can also teach dance! Teaching the children/youth how to dance, and how it can regulate their feelings, will help them realize that dancing is just one type of coping habit that is very healthy. Engaging in healthy coping mechanisms will reduce the risk of unhealthy ones, like turning to drugs or alcohol.
I can make, and fix jewellery!
When I was around six years old, I created my first bracelet all by myself! I even still have it and hold it dearly as a reminder that I do have talents, and I am unique.
Creating jewellery has always been a successful escape from reality. I would become very engulfed in my project, and it allowed me to go a few hours without having to think about the stresses of my life.
I am completely self-taught and I am so proud of that accomplishment.
Someday I hope I can teach the youth I am working with how to make jewellery, and help them become proud of themselves as well.
Making jewellery is an intricate process that requires much thought and concentration, and for some children or youth, that may even be therapeutic for them to engage in. They could also create gifts for the people they love, and they would feel so proud!
I can paint abstractly!
When I was growing up, I was not often allowed to talk about my mental health disabilities. I felt so alone in the world and I felt as if I did not have a voice. I had to find my own voice, without anyone hearing it.
I began to paint what I was feeling in abstract ways. I would tape the paintings onto the back of my door, where people could see them, but not really see. I was afraid what people would think of how I felt, and I did not want to get into trouble.
Although I felt that I had no voice, I found one through my art. I felt as if I could finally speak out through my heart. Whoever was open to hearing, would immediately see the meaning behind the painting. I could tell when people were not open to hearing, as they would ignore the paintings and want to walk out of my room.
Contrary to what people may think, painting abstractly can be taught to those that are willing to learn.
It is a great therapeutic tool if you can not say what you feel, but you can sense it, or identify it through colours and shapes.
Someday I hope I can offer this tool to other youth or children, so they may express how they feel.
I can bring stories and imagination to life!
I have always had a great imagination, which I think plays an important role in any profession that works with children/youth.
Reading stories, or interacting in imaginative play has always been one of my favourite things to do with children. In my experience, it has helped the children I’ve been around express their emotions in healthy ways, as well as build up their ability to play alone.
I can skateboard!
When I was 17, I also self-taught myself how to skateboard! I bought my first one at a yard sale for only 20 dollars and I still have, and use it. I used to skateboard to my local park almost every day during the summer, and a lot of younger children thought I was so cool!
Younger girls especially looked at me as a role model, because as they knew, only boys were supposed to skateboard. I was able to teach many of these children how to dance and skateboard, and a few life lessons squeezed in there!
I believe that someday there may be some youth or children that will not trust me, or see me as someone that can relate to them. I have a very good feeling that as soon as I show them my abilities, they will open up to me.
