blog post 8

There are a few points in Restler's article that stood out to me as part of care. She states, "the work of keeping kids in mind, remaining attuned to their needs and perceptions even when they're not present.." (pg 5) This was meaningful to me in the way of caring for youth, because it is so beyond important to remember that these kids have lives out side of your youth setting (group home, care group, school, programs, etc.) that make up more time of their lives than that short time you are with them. You have to keep in mind what they might have just gotten off the bus from, what happened before dinner last night, or what just happens in their minds day to day. They are humans first, not just robotic students or clients. The teacher that that uses her haircut and sense of style as part of mending that gap between adult vs. youth is just a prime example of keeping their needs in mind and staying "attuned" to it. She knows she is a safe haven, maybe even a home, to some of the youth she is working with.

At my internship sites, teachers are caring for children who are coming from tough homes and backgrounds. They do everything they can to try to help these kids maintain some normalcy throughout the day, because we know sometimes they are not going to get half of the love, attention and nurture that they would during the day. At the older kids site, before and after school programs, they let the kids make choices on activities, social rules of their groups, etc. This is a big deal because they are kids- they don't always get to make their own choices without an adult knocking that down.

I haven't seen anything to be changed yet- I am on the lookout!