Participant Engagement Values
Below is an excerpt from our staff onboarding manual regarding our values when it comes to engaging with our participants. Our training, perspectives, and skills go well beyond these values. These simply serve as “non-negotiables” when it comes to how we view and engage with each child we serve.
Pariticipant Management
Assume Competence
Regardless of ability to follow directions, speak, or physical ability, we want to assume all of our participants understand, can communicate and able to ‘do’. This can be challenging as we are getting to know our kids, but should always be on the front of our minds. Many kids ‘don’t’ because they are never given the chance. Because we assume our participants understand, we make every effort to not talk about them in front of them. Instead talk TO them in front of their parents, ask them for their input or tell them/ask them to share about their session.
Unconditional Positive Regard
This is expressed through our facial expressions, tone of voice, energy (thoughts/feelings), and body language. Even when challenging behaviors occur, we set firm limits and we maintain positive regard. We want our participants to feel connected, loved, supported and understood. This should translate into what we express to their parents following their session. Our participants are extraordinary in and of themselves, not “despite” their diagnosis.
Hold Space
A mentor holds space during a quiet activity during Stable Moments.
Other than maintaining safety, our primary focus when working with children should be to hold space. This is what allows for those magic moments of joy and peace. Holding space looks like taking control of ourselves by slowing our breathing, staying rooted to the earth in our posture, biting our tongue and allowing ourselves to just “be” with the child. Sit back and observe. Allow the child to come to us, to seek engagement or help from us and to engage on their terms. This allows us to build rapport very quickly and ‘get on their frequency’. "