Redirection, What?

Working with children in any environment can be stressful. Give a child the anonymity of an online experience and it can be extra stressful.  I’d like to believe that all kids are great kids, but in a virtual world they feel hidden behind an avatar where they can do and say what they want without fear of being “caught.” Redirection is my best friend, both with my own children and with my job. When things get a bit, um hairy, this is how I handle it.

Get talking!

Your world may be about sports, pre-historic animals, or fuzzy kittens, but all conversation does not have to be solely about those topics. I have spent hours talking about tomatoes, bugs, and food. Start taking mini-interviews from the kids. Questions like “What is your favorite color?” “What is your favorite food?” and “Who is your favorite sports player?” can give a child a chance to express themselves. The more they talk, the less time they have to engage in bad behavior.

Make them laugh!

Kids love to be kids. The more time you can spend making a child laugh, the more fun will be had for everyone. Tell them a silly joke or start a virtual food fight. Even a simple game of tag or hide and seek will turn a dark mood around in seconds.

Get them involved!

Children want to be entertained at all times. As moderators, parents, care-takers, or friends, this job falls on us. We can come up with many games, but the best game is the game that the children come up with themselves. They love to be involved. When you allow them to create and host a game, it empowers them.

A final, general,  thought on children. Kids everywhere, whether in real life or a virtual world, since the beginning of time, have made it their life mission to get under your skin. It’s what they do. Don’t let them. Keep your cool. As with all kids, the more attention you give them, good or bad, the more they will keep doing that behavior.  Reward the great kids, redirect the not-so-great kids. It will make everyone’s day a whole lot better.

—Michelle Ramage