Working with Children and Families

Discussion 2: Working With Children and Families
Working with children and families requires a more nuanced skillset than working with individuals. For example, questioning a child about suspected abuse might include different techniques or approaches than when questioning an adult; that conversation could make use of play, drawing, or other creative methods to connect with a child on their level. Similarly, working with families in which there are competing personalities and priorities among family members poses different challenges than working with individuals.

In this Discussion, you explore your interest and level of preparedness for working with children and families. You also identify the skills you might need to work with challenging families.

To Prepare
Review this week’s Learning Resources about families.
Consider the interest, skills, and qualifications you would bring to a human services position working with children and families. What excites you and what gives you apprehensions? What skills do you need to develop?
By Day 4
Post a description of what interests you about working with children and families as a human services professional practitioner. Specifically, describe your apprehensions, areas of excitement, and current level of preparedness. Also identify the skills you might need to develop in order to work with complex and challenging family issues.