Watch the following video about helping staff members guide children’s behaviors and think about how the staff member is interacting with children in regard to behavior. Compare your answers with the suggested responses.

1. What effective strategies did the staff member use?
    

   • Gave the youth time before stepping in.
   • Intervened when it was clear a youth was hurt and after noticing another youth physically pulling the child.
   • Spent time with the hurt youth. Sat down and talked to the youth.
   • Created an opportunity for the youth to talk to peers about the situation.
2. What evidence do you see that the staff member understands child and youth development?
    

   • The staff member handled the situation quietly and calmly. This prevented embarrassing the youth, while still helping him feel seen.
   • The staff member created an opportunity for the youth to solve his own problem, but she remained close for support.
   • The staff member gave the youth time before stepping in. The staff member realized that youth of this age are growing more independent. However, the staff member also realized that the youth needed comfort.
3. What additional thoughts or considerations do you have about the video or supports for the staff member?
    

   • Responses may vary. You might consider the availability of materials on the soccer field and the ways adults are supervising play. You may also consider the ways the group wrestling was redirected. The youth began pointing blame at one another, so there may have been more efficient ways to handle the situation.