A boy told me that instead of coming to the after-school care program and he wanted to go home.
I told him that he could discuss his idea of staying at home after school with his parents later. I also informed him that his parents had enrolled him to attend the after-school care program that afternoon. I encouraged him to choose any activities he liked at the after-school care. In the end, he agreed and enjoyed participating in outdoor activities.
A few days later, he attended the after-school care program again. Suddenly, he approached me and told me that a boy had hit him with an animal tail costume. I then simulated a conversation between two boys on how to communicate effectively.
Most importantly, I asked the boy who approached me first to explain what happened.
To make it easier, I used pseudonyms for their names. I called the boy who approached me first Hagen and the other boy who hit him Augustus.
This is an example of the dialogue:
I asked Hagen, “Can you please explain to us what happened?”
Hagen replied, “I walked to the sandpit and then Augustus hit me with his tail.”
I then asked Augustus, “Did you hit Hagen with an animal costume tail?”
Augustus answered, “I was playing with Hagen and didn't mean to hurt him.”
I confirmed with Augustus what he meant by saying, “You were trying to play with Hagen using the animal costume tail, weren't you? You did not mean to make him unhappy, right?”
Augustus nodded his head to show me that he agreed with what I said.
After that, I asked Hagen again, “How did you feel after hearing Augustus’s explanation?”
Hagen answered, “I didn't like being hit with a tail.”
I then encouraged Hagen to tell Augustus about his preference.
Hagen moved closer to Augustus and told him, “I didn't like being hit with a tail.”
Augustus replied to Hagen, “Okay.”
I asked Hagen, “What do you want Augustus to do?”
Hagen answered, “I want him to say sorry to me.”
Augustus chipped in and said, “Sorry.”
I asked Hagen, “Augustus said sorry just now. Is that okay?”
Hagen nodded his head and his facial expression indicated that he was pleased. He also smiled.
I told both Hagen and Augustus, “Everything is okay now. You guys can continue playing again.”
After that incident, Hagen never complained about not wanting to attend the after-school care program again. From that day forward, I frequently saw Hagen attended the after-school care program and he appeared happy.
©Tina Adi
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