Anger Management Workshop Session #3
Time passed so quickly and it was already our last session with the kids, we prepared cards and little snacks for them as parting gifts.
Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Model, I will be reflecting on my greatest challenge and opportunity from each session.
Boys' Session - Greatest Challenge
Concrete Experiences
Our team had no prior knowledge that there was going to be a newly added resident for the boys' session. Though we had extra resources, we made sure to engage with him to make him feel welcomed, and not out of place.
During the third activity of the day, a few facilitators took time out to write encouraging messages for him as well.
Reflective Observations
It's always important to have extra resources on hand, since we never know when we will be needing it. It is also important to ensure that everyone feel belonged and no one is intentionally or accidentally left out.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I'm sure everyone has been left out before, whether intentionally or not, it's not a good feeling and can have negative impacts on an individual's mental health (Fabes, Hanish, Martin, & Eisenberg, 2002).
Active Experimentation
It's important, as facilitators, friends, co-workers, to make it our business to include someone when others are feeling left out.
Boys' Session - Greatest Opportunity
Concrete Experiences
'Hidden Heart' got me thinking, what are the possible triggers for my own anger, which helped me better understand myself, as well as other possible situations in which others might be angry or upset.
Reflective Observations
I was glad to see that the boys' drawings weren't too negative, which could reflect that they may not have too much self-esteem issues. The boys were also quite willing to share with the group, their own personal triggers for being upset and angry.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I also realised that what everyone drew on the balloons, reflected something significantly different from what was written inside. Whatever was written inside as a personal trigger, is something that not everyone would know, something hidden. While what was written on the balloon, often reflected some traits in which we perceive the person to be. This activity shows the difference between our true selves, the side we don't always show to everyone, and what other people often perceive us to be.
Active Experimentation
By showing others our 'hidden heart', we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, to let down our own walls and to let others in, which helps all of us understand each other a little better. Vulnerability isn't always a bad thing.
Girls' Session - Greatest Challenge
Concrete Experiences
For the 'Human Knot', the girls were unwilling to participate in the game and even refused to hold the hands of one other resident, calling her names. The facilitators stepped in to end the name calling, and held the girl's hand instead.
Reflective Observations
This was a very sad scene to witness, that the girl whose hand no one wanted to hold, didn't even look hurt or surprised. She just kept quiet, as she always did for all the sessions.
I wondered what it was like for her, to have to live with this group of people who are not just mean to her, but to reject her as well.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I thought about how hurt I would feel, how much I would long to be accepted, how would I react, I didn't have a single positive thought.
Active Experimentation
The dynamics within Gracehaven is not within my control, all I could do was to be there for the girl.
Girls' Session - Greatest Opportunity
Concrete Experiences
I noticed a change in group dynamics between my buddy and her usual group. During 'Hidden Heart' my buddy spoke significantly less than she used to at previous sessions and some insults were thrown at her by the girl who was her 'best friend' just two weeks ago. Later on, she wrote some phrases on her balloon that were not particularly pleasant and seemed to be attention seeking, hoping to induce some laughter from the other residents, which worked.
Reflective Observations
I didn't know what happened in the past two weeks, and it was quite surreal to see the drastic changes in terms of group dynamics.
Despite noticing this change, I know there wasn't much I could do, and neither was I in the position to try to mediate their friendship without knowing the whole story. So all I did was simply just to pay more attention to my buddy and engage in more conversations with her, which she seemed to appreciate.
Abstract Conceptualisation
Now I wondered, what it would be like not just to be rejected, but by someone who I hold close to my heart. It's not easy to deal with this kind of hurt, I'm glad my buddy is emotionally able to cope with this.
Active Experimentation
Similarly, the dynamics within Gracehaven is not within my control, all I could do was to be there for the her.
Final Thoughts
My buddy actually circled half a 'sad' face when checking out and I asked her why she was sad. She commented that, the workshop was actually pretty fun as compared to others, and that she had a good time. I was very touched. I'm not sure how much of the knowledge and skills learnt from the workshop will she remember and put to use.
But at the very least, I'm glad that she enjoyed the workshop. This was when I had a flashback of the first time I came to Gracehaven, and remembering how suffocating I felt the Girls' Common Room was. If all we provided for them was a little fun, a short escape from reality, to me, that's sufficient.
(975 Words)
References:
Fabes, R. A., Hanish, L. D., Martin, C. L., & Eisenberg, N. (2002). Young Childrens Negative Emotionality and Social Isolation: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 48(3), 284–307. doi: 10.1353/mpq.2002.0012
Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Model, I will be reflecting on my greatest challenge and opportunity from each session.
Boys' Session - Greatest Challenge
Concrete Experiences
Our team had no prior knowledge that there was going to be a newly added resident for the boys' session. Though we had extra resources, we made sure to engage with him to make him feel welcomed, and not out of place.
During the third activity of the day, a few facilitators took time out to write encouraging messages for him as well.
 |
| Trying to untangle ourselves during 'Human Knot' |
It's always important to have extra resources on hand, since we never know when we will be needing it. It is also important to ensure that everyone feel belonged and no one is intentionally or accidentally left out.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I'm sure everyone has been left out before, whether intentionally or not, it's not a good feeling and can have negative impacts on an individual's mental health (Fabes, Hanish, Martin, & Eisenberg, 2002).
Active Experimentation
It's important, as facilitators, friends, co-workers, to make it our business to include someone when others are feeling left out.
Boys' Session - Greatest Opportunity
Concrete Experiences
'Hidden Heart' got me thinking, what are the possible triggers for my own anger, which helped me better understand myself, as well as other possible situations in which others might be angry or upset.
 |
| Some of the perceptions the boys thought people had of them during 'Hidden Heart' |
Reflective Observations
I was glad to see that the boys' drawings weren't too negative, which could reflect that they may not have too much self-esteem issues. The boys were also quite willing to share with the group, their own personal triggers for being upset and angry.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I also realised that what everyone drew on the balloons, reflected something significantly different from what was written inside. Whatever was written inside as a personal trigger, is something that not everyone would know, something hidden. While what was written on the balloon, often reflected some traits in which we perceive the person to be. This activity shows the difference between our true selves, the side we don't always show to everyone, and what other people often perceive us to be.
Active Experimentation
By showing others our 'hidden heart', we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, to let down our own walls and to let others in, which helps all of us understand each other a little better. Vulnerability isn't always a bad thing.
Girls' Session - Greatest Challenge
Concrete Experiences
For the 'Human Knot', the girls were unwilling to participate in the game and even refused to hold the hands of one other resident, calling her names. The facilitators stepped in to end the name calling, and held the girl's hand instead.
Reflective Observations
This was a very sad scene to witness, that the girl whose hand no one wanted to hold, didn't even look hurt or surprised. She just kept quiet, as she always did for all the sessions.
I wondered what it was like for her, to have to live with this group of people who are not just mean to her, but to reject her as well.
Abstract Conceptualisation
I thought about how hurt I would feel, how much I would long to be accepted, how would I react, I didn't have a single positive thought.
Active Experimentation
The dynamics within Gracehaven is not within my control, all I could do was to be there for the girl.
Girls' Session - Greatest Opportunity
Concrete Experiences
 |
| The girls doing their 'Emotions Check Out' |
I noticed a change in group dynamics between my buddy and her usual group. During 'Hidden Heart' my buddy spoke significantly less than she used to at previous sessions and some insults were thrown at her by the girl who was her 'best friend' just two weeks ago. Later on, she wrote some phrases on her balloon that were not particularly pleasant and seemed to be attention seeking, hoping to induce some laughter from the other residents, which worked.
Reflective Observations
I didn't know what happened in the past two weeks, and it was quite surreal to see the drastic changes in terms of group dynamics.
Despite noticing this change, I know there wasn't much I could do, and neither was I in the position to try to mediate their friendship without knowing the whole story. So all I did was simply just to pay more attention to my buddy and engage in more conversations with her, which she seemed to appreciate.
Abstract Conceptualisation
Now I wondered, what it would be like not just to be rejected, but by someone who I hold close to my heart. It's not easy to deal with this kind of hurt, I'm glad my buddy is emotionally able to cope with this.
Active Experimentation
Similarly, the dynamics within Gracehaven is not within my control, all I could do was to be there for the her.
Final Thoughts
My buddy actually circled half a 'sad' face when checking out and I asked her why she was sad. She commented that, the workshop was actually pretty fun as compared to others, and that she had a good time. I was very touched. I'm not sure how much of the knowledge and skills learnt from the workshop will she remember and put to use.
But at the very least, I'm glad that she enjoyed the workshop. This was when I had a flashback of the first time I came to Gracehaven, and remembering how suffocating I felt the Girls' Common Room was. If all we provided for them was a little fun, a short escape from reality, to me, that's sufficient.
(975 Words)
References:
Fabes, R. A., Hanish, L. D., Martin, C. L., & Eisenberg, N. (2002). Young Childrens Negative Emotionality and Social Isolation: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 48(3), 284–307. doi: 10.1353/mpq.2002.0012
Comments
Post a Comment