+ Participation (continued… tips!)
Tips for Facilitating Participation
Chart #3
Examples for Trainer
- Attitude! Attitude! Attitude!
Your attitude will affect the person that you’re working with. If you say “Yuck! Fishing!” the person will think “Yuck! Fishing!”
- Emphasis is on the person’s independence!
You want the person to do as much for themselves as possible. Don’t do it for them because it’s easier or faster. They need to do it.
- Respectful communication
Always communicate with the other person about how they feel, whether this is enjoyable to them, about how you feel, what you’re doing etc. Be careful not to “talk down” to the person but to communicate at their level.
- Celebrate little accomplishments!
Growth sometimes occurs in small steps after repeated practice. In other words, don’t expect that it will happen instantly. Sometimes you have to measure the progress with a smaller ruler, but it’s still there. It is not our job at MHKC to change a behavior in a week.
- Give GENUINE positive reinforcement
Don’t just throw out a “good job!” every five minutes. Make your feedback specific, descriptive and honest. Examples include, “You did it!” or “I love the color of your art project!”
- This is THEIR (the camper’s) time, not yours
This is THEIR vacation. The focus is on their needs and wants and on THEIR good time. They came to camp to have FUN!!
- Energy!!
Keep your energy level up and the person that you are working with will have more energy too.
- Be aware of the person’s abilities
Know what the person realistically can and cannot do. Then utilize the abilities the person does have and build on them.