Youthwork
Product Description
From the Author
This book is divided into three parts. Part One concentrates on friendships: why we need them and the benefits gained from being in a supportive social network; sex differences between friendships; how our personal development has been affected by the relationships we have had; why people become lonely; the development of friendships - the process of making friends and what determines how intimate a friendship becomes or whether a budding friendship fails.
Part Two concentrates on the social (interpersonal skills) between two people and the skills needed in developing relationships: body language; the different types of social inadequacies with relevant role-plays; hidden messages; the importance of appropriate self-disclosure; listening skills; overcoming shyness and making conversation in a variety of social interactions. Social rules are considered and their purpose.
Part Three deals with assertiveness and counselling skills (in an informal setting - that is, peer counselling rather than professional counselling). Both the asertiveness skills and counselling skills are techniques for 'fine-tuning' relationships, going that step further to reach more meaningful levels of communication and satisfaction within relationships, learning how to verbally protect oneself and help friends and acquaintances find their own solutions to problems.
The intended length of each session is one hour and the course was written with the intention that no research or preparatory work is required by the leader other than reading the material before the session and occasionally planning a session ahead so that students come prepared with, for example, certain role-play ideas.
Parents could use the book for ideas on how to help their teenager overcome shyness, become more sociable and learn to stick up for themselves without being aggressive. Many role-plays and discussion questions with example situations are given to make this a practical course dealing with issues from real life.
