Feedback to Basics

FROM SIMONE - The Son-Rise Program is so unique because unlike other programs it works through the principles of a philosophy, The Option Process. Everything we do, our attitude, not just with our children, but with our team relates to the Option Process. Being a philosophy of love and non-judgement, using its principles to give feedback to volunteers working with our children will only promote a better relationship in the team and that of team members and your child. Another great tool is to use the techniques you use in the playroom with your child, with your volunteers too. Here are some examples:

• Eye Contact - When addressing your volunteers giving feedback look them in the eye, it will convey your message much more clearly and sincerely.
• The 3E's - While nobody is advocating that you jump up and down while doing feedback, it's important to have expression in your face, smile, engage your listener and actually while demonstrating to your volunteer what could be done in the playroom, you could jump up and down, and throw a jiggle in too.
• Get them to participate - Instead of a long list of do's and dont's get them to pick the moment they most enjoyed or they least enjoyed and explore their beliefs about them.
• Celebrate - Celebrate your volunteers, give them a big cheers for doing something you discussed in the last feedback, for a new idea, for a moment of inspired 3E's!
• Be non-judgemental - Don't assume they felt embarrassed, upset or bored, ask, "How did you feel when Johnny spilt all his drink on the floor?"
• Don't forget this principle: "How we feel determines what we do". If a volunteer for example gives a toy very quickly to a screaming child it could be, for example, because he or she believes the child is unhappy and must be satisfied in its needs quickly or it could be, for example, because they actually thought the screaming was a successful means of communication and needed to be responded to quickly or even he or she perhaps didn't realize how quickly they were responding to it. If you address the issue by simply telling them "when my child cries act slowly", if they were acting quickly fueled by a discomfort I can guarantee you next time your child cries they will act quickly again. It doesn't mean they haven't absorbed the information, but it means they feel a certain way and their feelings determine their actions. Only by exploring their beliefs which generate their feelings you will be able to change their actions. So instead of "When my child cries act slowly" try "When Johnny cried you gave him his favorite toy car very quickly" "How did you feel at that moment?" Then you can explore whatever feeling they had and using the Option Process dialogue you can explore their beliefs behind their feelings.

Another great tip is just as it is the case in the playroom have fun doing your feedback sessions!