How Academic Concepts Have Become Apparent During This Experience?

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• What academic concepts have become apparent during this experience? (What did you see examples of in action?) o Two class concepts have been apparent while working with the kids in the assistant coaching position. One, kids that are more hostile and pessimistic have been far more prone to conflict, whether that be arguments with peers, failing to follow direction, or blatantly ignoring rules and social norms (like hitting). Without fail, conflict has followed the same kids and it appears that those kids do not have close social ties with peers. The second concept is people high in optimism, hope, hardiness, and extroversion are more adaptive. This has been apparent by the engagement level of most of the kids. The kids who are focused, put forth effort, modify behavior when asked, and are receptive to coaching are socially active, are generally positive, and bounce back from mistakes. • What academic concepts did you utilize during your SL experience? (What concepts help you better understand your clientele? Have you use any concepts while working with your clients?) o I used the learning theory operant conditioning when running practices. My first day at practice I observed the staff run practices and they were not organized, did little encouragement and failed to follow through on consequences to bad behavior. Surprisingly, by my second day I was running the practices by myself and had to figure out who to organize the practice, manage poor behavior, and keep the kids engaged. I applied the concepts of operant conditioning by rewarding good effort and execution with positive reinforcements such as praise and high fives. On one occasion I asked the kids to pick up cones, when no one volunteered I said whoever gets the c... ... middle of paper ... ...gain, but the staff member did not do anything. Later in the practice the staff member said, “if you do that again (something else to a different kid) you have to run a lap. Again, the child did it again, but this time, the staff member said, go run a lap, but the kid did not run, and the staff member just pretended to not notice the child did not run. Unknowingly, the staff member is training the kids to ignore is threats by constantly failing to follow though. In addition, I have observed the staff fail to identify and reward good behavior. They are quick to point out wrong doing but fail to recognize good performance, exceptional effort, and lack of poor sportsmanship. By applying the concepts of operant conditioning, using appropriate rewards and punishments, and consistently following through on promises the children’s behavior could be improved immensely

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