Purposeful Play Leading with
Purposeful play and leading with youth can be two key components to take away from our youth development college courses when proceeding into the real world. They both have clear objectives that can be most helpful when working with youth. For example, when we conduct purposeful play activities, we hope to understand that concepts such as art and play can be a starting point for exploring content and community through ideals such as care and inclusion. When we try to understand the concept of leading with youth, we want to experience and practice the intentional elements that allow adults to lead with youth to make a better world.
Leading with youth gives them the opportunities to be a part of the process. They can help make decisions, create rules and feel important in the process. This can boost their self esteem and help them to feel more comfortable when leading in a group. It is important to have this type of environment where youth feel like they are being heard, not just directed and spoken to. Purposeful play is a fun and exciting way to learn new things. Maybe it is something simple as conducting a name game ice breaker, or maybe something a little more complex like getting to know your classmates in a deeper and more personal way. In addition, purposeful play can help the child to learn more about their peers and about themselves. Play can help "get the wiggles out" and have bonding time between the youth and educators. Overall, purposeful play and leading with youth can benefit both the children and the educators as a whole.
I also agree with leading with because there is endless possibilities for the youth and or the adult. All the anchors are important but this is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI agree that purposeful play and leading with can benefit both children and educators, because at the end of the day everyone is learning from one another and is discovering something new.
ReplyDeleteI like how we both chose the same ydev anchors and I agree with both of them! I like how you mentioned how purposeful play is meaningful to both the youth worker and the youth themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that leading with and purposeful can be used as a way to include the kids in the process of planning, it also is useful when trying to build bonds and a sense of community.
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