Sunday, February 27, 2011

Smart-Girls: Session One

I completed the first Smart-Girls session yesterday with my classmate, Jenny.  I feel that we worked together very well, and I was happy with the outcome of the session.  Also, our debriefing was helpful because we identified what went well and what could use improvement.  I was even more impressed than I thought I would be with all of the girls that showed up to the meeting!  They are very sweet and so full of potential, and I have so much hope that one day society will benefit from their promise!

I am very excited and impressed to be working with the Smart-Girl organization because their values allow young people to flourish and hopefully one day extend grace and generosity to others.  The females play games that facilitate their understanding of self-esteem, acceptance of themselves and others, diversity, cliques, the media, body-image, stereotyping, and the importance of choices.  However, the organization does not only work with young girls; they also have a program involving young boys called Wise Guys.  Although I am not currently participating in that particular area of the program, I believe that it is likely as beneficial to the boys as it is to the girls.

The program really does what it sets out to do.  I noticed an increase in energy and smiles from all of the participants at the end of our first session.  I believe that we as facilitators are trained pretty well, and I think that our enthusiasm and energy is contagious to the girls.  However, I do think that the organization might be able to better teach us how to deal with difficult situations without making any girl feel singled out.  On the flip side, I understand that those situations require experience.  I am excited to continue on this journey!

No comments:

Post a Comment