Author: Santosh
Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan
During the transformative era of adolescence,
adolescents and their caregivers need to establish and maintain a supportive
and good connection (De Goede et al., 2009). We can help caregivers and
adolescents improve their relationship by guiding effective communication,
conflict resolution, psychoeducation, problem-solving techniques, and self-care
activities (Juvonen et al., 2012). Recognizing the importance of practical
application, continued effort, and individualized support is key.
Supporting adolescents and caregivers
It's essential to encourage adolescents and
caregivers to engage in maintaining or developing positive relationships. I can
assist in various ways. Firstly, I can offer advice on effective communication
strategies, such as active listening, empathy, and validation. This guidance
can help adolescents express their feelings and needs to their caregivers, and
vice versa. Additionally, I can provide insights into conflict resolution,
teach negotiation skills, promote understanding of different perspectives, and
facilitate compromise (Kohlberg & Hersh, 1977). Furthermore, I can provide
psychoeducation by sharing information and resources on adolescent development,
mental health, and common challenges faced during this stage. This knowledge
can enable caregivers to better understand and support adolescents' needs.
Moreover, I can assist in developing problem-solving skills for both
adolescents and caregivers, encouraging a collaborative approach to addressing
issues. Lastly, I can offer suggestions on self-care practices, including
mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and time management strategies, to reduce
stress and promote overall well-being for both adolescents and caregivers (De
Goede et al., 2009; Juvonen et al., 2012).
When I provide guidance and information, it's
important to note that building and maintaining supportive relationships
requires more than just advice. Practical application and ongoing effort are
crucial. Additionally, individual circumstances and dynamics can vary greatly,
so personalized support from professionals, such as therapists or counsellors,
may be necessary in some cases (De Goede et al., 2009).
My Thought Question on Supporting
Adolescents and Caregivers
What are some specific challenges you have faced
in supporting adolescents in your care, and how have you addressed them?
Facilitating deeper peer connections
Building deeper and more supportive connections
among peers is essential for well-being, and I can assist in this context.
Firstly, I can guide active listening skills, empathy, and understanding of
other's perspectives, which can enhance communication and foster deeper
connections by demonstrating genuine interest and care (Prioste et al., 2015).
Additionally, I can help peers discover common interests and suggest activities
or group projects that promote collaboration and bonding. By facilitating
shared interests and activities, such as discussing hobbies, recommending
team-building exercises, or suggesting group outings, I can contribute to
stronger connections. Furthermore, I can encourage peers to create an inclusive
and respectful environment by fostering open-mindedness, discouraging judgment
or exclusion, and providing guidance on embracing diversity, valuing different
opinions, and practising kindness. I can also offer strategies for conflict
resolution and problem-solving by teaching active communication, negotiation,
and compromise to help peers work through disagreements constructively. Lastly,
I can provide resources on building healthy relationships, emotional
intelligence, and social skills, empowering peers to educate themselves and
explore ways to deepen their connections with one another (Juvonen et al.,
2012).
While I can provide guidance and suggestions for
developing deeper peer connections, it's important to acknowledge that
relationships are complex and multifaceted. Building meaningful connections requires
genuine effort, trust, and mutual interest. It's also crucial to consider
external factors, such as social dynamics and cultural influences, that may
impact peer interactions (Juvonen et al., 2012).
My Thought Question on Facilitating
Deeper Peer Connections:
What strategies have you found effective in
building deeper and more supportive connections with your peers, and how have
these connections positively impacted your well-being?
References
De Goede, I. H. A., Branje, S. J. T., & Meeus, W.
H. J. (2009). Developmental changes in adolescents’ perceptions of
relationships with their parents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38,
75–88.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs10964-008-9286-7.pdf
Juvonen, J., Espiniza, G., & Knifsend, C. (2012).
The role of peer relationships in student academic and extracurricular
engagement. In S. L. Christenson, A. L. Reschly, & C. Wylie (Eds.), Handbook
of research on student engagement (pp. 387-402). Springer.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Azkananda_Widiasani/publication/310773130_Handbook_of_Student_Engagement/links/5836a0dd08aed45931c772b7/Handbook-of-Student-Engagement.pdf#page=403
Kohlberg, L., & Hersh, R. H. (1977). Moral
development: A review of the theory. Theory into Practice, 16(2), 53–59.
https://academic.udayton.edu/jackbauer/Readings%20595/Kohlberg%2077%20his%20theory%20copy.pdf
Prioste, A., Narciso, I., Gonc¸alves, M., &
Pereira, C. (2015). Family relations and parenting practices: A pathway to
adolescents’ collectivist and individualist values? Journal of Child and
Family Studies. https://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/15917/1/ICS_CRPereira_Family_ARI.pdf
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