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Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we've received here at Camp MakeBelieve Kids, along with our answers.
I
have two children, 7 and 9. They seem like “normal”
kids, with normal problems. For example, my oldest will sometimes
be disruptive and my youngest doesn’t always take no for
an answer. Is Camp MakeBelieve for regular kids, or just those
with special problems? |
Character-building
is something all children have to learn. While many excellent
parents do their very best, there are many influences today that
make a parent’s job ten time more difficult than when we
were their age. Media, peer pressure, violence and impending violence
and a culture that promotes winning at all costs, makes the basic
life lessons of empathy and control an uphill battle for parents,
educators and professionals. Camp MakeBelieve targets these issues
early and makes no bones about the reality that healthy adults
must learn to get along with each other and adjust to the world
around them. We, at Camp MakeBelieve have seen all children develop
insight, responsibility and the confidence that comes from mastering
and managing their feelings and behavior.
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How
many series of Camp MakeBelieve must my child attend to receive
maximum benefits? |
During
the eight week sessions, specific goals are developed for each
child. While some children reach their goals during that period,
each series is a unique experience! While the principles —
helping children develop esteem, confidence, social skills and
self control — are the same, the materials vary as do the
group members. Each group offers new opportunities to improve,
reinforce and learn new skills. Many parents have decided to make
Camp MakeBelieve a regular part of their child's after-school
activities. Some come back because they want to work on other
goals. As children grow and learn at different rates, still others
wish to deepen the skills they've learned. The children who come
back time and time again have also built solid friendships, enjoy
the activities, and have shown increasing, sometimes, amazing
progress.
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I
am concerned that my child's misbehavior during Camp MakeBelieve
will be given too much attention. She loves when attention is
paid to her whether good or bad. |
This
is a common problem with many children who love getting attention,
whether positive or negative. Sometime this behavior is out of
their control, sometimes it's manipulative. For example, a child
may get up during discussions, talk while others are talking,
or try to disrupt or distract the group. One of the major principles
of Camp MakeBelieve is to reinforce and reward appropriate behavior.
Those who following the rules, for example, children who wait
their turn to be called on when raising their hand, follow directions,
and listen to the person who is speaking, are immediately noticed
and praised by the group leader and members. The peer group then,
reinforces the positive values and behavior we'd like to see in
all children. As a result, the disruptive child usually finds
negative attention seeking unrewarding, and begins to modify behavior
to gain group attention in a positive, more appropriate way.
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My
child has been attending individual weekly counseling for several
months. He was referred by his teacher for being too aggressive
with other children at school. How does Camp MakeBelieve compare
to the individual sessions my child receives? |
Camp MakeBelieve uses the group to help the child "get real"
about his behavior and social skills. Individual counseling offers
a very different experience. During one-on-one counseling, the
child is the focus of attention and often basks in the spotlight
(which we call the "halo effect"). Many "terrors"
on the playing field are "angels" in our office. While
certainly much can be accomplished through the intensity of the
counseling relationship, the group is a critical adjunct for all
children, especially those with behavioral issues. Camp MakeBelieve
groups are the "mini-version" of his real world. In
the presence of other children, we are able to see behavior and
feelings as he interacts with others that we can't observe in
individual counseling. But more, at Camp MakeBelieve, we're prepared
to deal with the behavior — on-the-spot. Through focus,
understanding, support, and guidance from group leaders and the
group members themselves, the child sees the effect of his behavior
on his peers, and reaps the consequences and rewards. The group
then, becomes a reality workshop, as the children learn from one
another.
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I
am a teacher who works with special needs children many of whom
have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most of these kids are very
smart but have difficulty connecting with other children. Would
they benefit from Camp MakeBelieve as well? |
You
bet. These children, in particular, encounter social problems
as a result of their disorder, which makes them unable to interpret
cues accurately and respond appropriately. Camp MakeBelieve, with
its emphasis on learning to identify feelings along with strategies
to manage their behavior is often of great benefit to this population
of children. They get to experience, recognize and deal with these
issues first-hand in an accepting, rule-driven and rewarding environment.
More, our activities often intrigue the Asperger’s child
by stimulating their intellect and imagination. Our calm-down
tools are frequently helpful in preventing and managing flare-ups.
As the vast majority of these children are mainstreamed, learning
to get along with their peers and handling their moods with the
skills taught by Camp MakeBelieve can be an invaluable support
system.
For more information on ASPERGER’S DISORDER CLICK
HERE
For more information on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
CLICK HERE
For more information on Autism CLICK HERE
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I
live too far away for my child to attend the after-school program.
Will your materials work for us at home, without the group setting
and a professional counselor? |
Many
parents, teachers and counselors report excellent results with
our Parents Package and Professional Package. Both have been developed
over the course of almost ten years to bring you the actual strategies
and tools we use in a format that is adaptable to the home, or
professional situation. Much attention has been paid to providing
you with every single thing you need to work essential elements
of the program with the individual child or group. Easy to use,
thorough and fully explained, any adult can pick up the package
and start making positive changes that very day. And now, we’re
about to introduce our Licensing Program, which will allow you,
or others in your community to start a Camp MakeBelieve After-School
Program right in your own community.
For
more information on our Parents Program CLICK
HERE
For more information on our Professional Program CLICK HERE
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