Communication

CITs at a training learning how to resolve conflict

Good communication helps children develop…

· Confidence!

· Feelings of self worth!

· Good relationships with other people!

It makes life with them MORE PLEASANT NOW, and helps them grow into adults who have good feelings about themselves and others.

Know as many by name as possible. Know something about each of them.
Be Friendly. Show interest in what individual campers are doing and the progress they are making a camp, home, school, etc. Be interested in their hobbies and other activities.
Commend good qualities and actions.
Listen.
Bring out their best. Discover their talents and encourage them to use their strengths.
Praise in public. Criticize in private.
Be constructive, not repressive.
When necessary be firm, always be fair.
Do not judge misconduct solely on how much it annoys you.
Do not take out your personal feelings or prejudices on them.
Be consistent.
Maintain poise; do not lose your temper.
See the camper’s side of the story.
Look for the good qualities in campers no matter how hard.
Do not pick on each thing a camper does wrong. Sometimes it is better to overlook some things.
Misbehavior is seldom willful. There is usually a cause. It may be you, the activity, or some other outside influence.
Check your activity, program, and facility constantly. See ways to make things more interesting for them. Study attendance patterns. Listen to the campers’ suggestions and complaints and try to solve them.
Be honest, truthful and sincere.
Work with the campers.
Set a good example yourself.