Service Learning Reflection

Reflection

—        Describe what happened (in your whole project).

During the time I spent working with the kids I seen a positive change in them. When I first started working with the kids it was very difficult for me to get them to open up to me. In order for me to get them to open up I told them about me and some of the struggles I had growing up. When they felt like I could relate to them they felt like they could trust me. We played games, help them with homework, and talked about daily problems.

—        What difference did it make?

Whenever the kids came to us they would have a smile on their faces. If they had a bad day at school they will feel the total opposite at the end of the day. The kids would have a better day at school because they would know how to react to the difficult situations.

—        Discuss your thoughts and feelings about the issue.

I feel that many kids hide their true feelings and do not know how to cope with stress and many difficult situations. Many kids are just crying in the shower because that is their only rest haven. If are shown that they are loved, wanted, and appreciated their lives will feel much better.

—        How does your experience relate to the larger community: city, county, state, and nation?

This experience relates to the larger world because the kids of today are the future. If they are depressed and sad how will the world function? Children who have lower self-esteem are more likely to be those who commit crimes to try and fit in.

—        What could you do to improve your project?

To improve this project we could have better ways to communicate the kids, and meet with the kids more.

—        What ideas do you have for future service?

I will like to continue to work with the younger generation. While I am in college I will like to become a mentor to young boys who do not have a father figure in the lives.

—        What questions do you still have?

I wonder do the kids really appreciate the time we spend together.

I wonder if I was not there to help those kids where would they be.

—        How can you receive feedback on your service or future service?

To receive feedback I create a blogger so that people around the world could leave comments.

PSA

Possible Solutions

Ways to Help a Child Overcome Low Self-Esteem 

• Positive interactions
• Positive interactions have to come from inside the home
•  These interactions help children to be stronger and more secure in them self (Bergeron).

• Support 
• Needs to come from parents, teachers, and caregivers. 
• If a child tries their best and put effort into the work they do that should be the only thing that matter. 
• Parents that set unachievable goals for their kids should only be angry with themselves.

• Addressing the negative issues (Bergeron)
• One negative issue that children face the most is bullying and or cyber bullying. 
• Talk to kids about the worries that they are having.
• Be aware of the kids and the reactions they have to different environments 

Children need to be placed in situations that are going to help them and improve their self-esteem problems. If the self-esteem of a child is increased then the numbers in many of the negatives things will decrease such as:

• fewer kids turning to the streets committing crimes. 

• fewer kids turning to gangs just to have someone to love them. 

• fewer babies having babies. 

• fewer kids committing suicide. 

If this happens the kids of tomorrow will be better prepared to take on the difficult task the lie in their future. Problems will be easier for the kids to deal with when they become adults.

   

My Interview

Who Did I Interview?

Shawn Bergeron, LISW-CP    

http://m.therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Shawn_Bergeron_LISW-CP_Myrtle+Beach_South+Carolina_104252

Interview Questions and Answers

How do you identify that a child is having self esteem problems?

• Ways of identifying a child with self-esteem problems include shyness, withdrawn, negative statements, and insecurities issues.

Do the parents of the child play a big part on what the child self esteem level is?

• Yes, parents play a part but they are not the only part. How a parent talks and interacts with a child does play a part, but there are several other factors include friends, peer pressure and society pressures 

How can spending time with a child help them with self esteem problems?

• Positive interactions with children always help to build up a child’s self-esteem. These interactions help children to be stronger and more secure in them self.

Does bullying play a role on children without self esteem?

• Yes, bulling plays a role on children with low self-esteem along with parents, family, friends, peer pressure and society.

What can someone do to help build a child’s self esteem?

• Ways to improve low self-esteem include positive interactions, support, addressing the negative issues, talking about the problem and helping with social interactions.

Does the lack of self esteem lead to kids becoming criminal?

• Yes low self-esteem can be a factor in kids becoming criminal but it is not the only factor. Other factors include peer-pressure, society and family factors.

How often does the lack of self esteem lead to depression in younger kid?

•  Low self-esteem can play a big role in the level of depression in a child.

Why is this Important to the Issue?

This interview was important to the issue because Mr. Bergergon answered all the questions using his past experiences. He gave answers that can help support the cause. 

This song is showing that if you keep your head held high you can be the WORLD'S GREATEST !

We need our youth to believe that they somebody and they can do something with their lives. They need a motivation to boost up the self-esteem. Be there for kids and listen to problems that they have. DON'T PUT THESES KIDS ON THE BACK BURNER. Come everyone lets make a kid smile evreyday! 



Field Experience

Where Did I Volunteer

• I volunteered at the community center in my neighborhood

What Were You Required To Do?

• Help kids with their homework
• Play games with the kids
• Talk to them about their day
• Counsel them if they were having any problems
• Show the kids praise
• Spend time with the kids (3hours/week)

What Did You Learn?

• I learned that young children face many problems that they should not have to worry about until later in life. Children should be loved and feel wanted by parents not neglected. Children use many different ways to cope with stress and problems that they face. Parents and teachers need to be aware of problems that kids face. 

  What Will You Continue to Do as a Result

• As a result of volunteering at this program I will continue to help kids that I see struggling. I will help whenever I can. I will make sure that everybody I come in contact with feel happy about themselves and make sure they have that motivation to do their best.

 

 

Building A Child's Self-Esteem

Building A Child's Self-Esteem : Facing The Problem

Do you ever notice the child who sits in the back of class? Do you notice the child who never wants to participate in any class discussions? Do you notice the child who walks with his head down because he believes he has nothing to live for? Do you notice the child that has no friends? Lack of self esteem plays a major factor when it comes to children showing their true identity. 

Self-esteem is the collection of beliefs or feelings we have about ourselves, our "self-perceptions."

"Low self-esteem is shaped early in life. Unfortunately, the well-meaning adults in a child's life may actually have the most negative impact: the parent with unrealistically high expectations who may unconsciously belittle a child's accomplishments, the teacher who doesn't give enough encouragement when it's needed, and the caregiver who doesn't show affection" (Herel).

“Positive interactions with children always help to build up a child’s self-esteem. These interactions help children to be stronger and more secure in them self” (Bergeron).