Supporting and Guiding Young People in OSHC

As children move from early to middle childhood and begin adolescence, there are many changes for them to navigate that are influenced by their experiences so far in life and will impact their future responses to life.  At all of these stages young people in OSHC to being asked to manage themselves in different settings and with different people who place different demands upon them.  Learning how their behaviours and actions affect themselves and others around them is an important skill they need abundant support with. A positive, strengths-based approach to guiding children’s behaviour can empower children to regulate their own behaviour and develop the skills needed to interact and negotiate complex social situations and relationships.

By supporting young people’s social and emotional development, we are also supporting the development of their resilience, ability to self-regulation and growing emotional intelligence.   The responsibility to support these young people effectively is often a challenging and demanding aspect of an Educator’s role, but also the most rewarding.  When educators prioritise nurturing relationships with consistent emotional support children are assisted in the development of the skills and understandings they need to interact positively with others. Trusting, safe and secure relationships in your OSHC setting create a foundation for young people now and in the future.

This workshop helps educators to understand behaviours, unpack what those behaviours might be communicating about a young person’s emotional needs, investigates ways to reframe responses and provides practical strategies to support emotional and social development in positive ways.

• stressors and their influence on behaviours including some neurodivergence.
• The role of relationships in promoting positive behaviours.
• The role of the educator in supporting self-regulation through co-regulation.
• Understanding the impact of the environment including shame and empathy.
• Practical and positive strategies.

Links to NQS: QA5
EYLF: L/O 1, 3 & 5