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.