Introduce professional feedback
Practice strategies & approaches to professional feedback
Feedback is a crucial part of KidSpirit professionalism. Staff members are required to give and receive feedback on a regular basis. This happens on many levels (between staff, to Parents/guardians and campers, with leadership staffs). KidSpirit staff should view feedback as an opportunity to help another person develop and grow.
Focus Points
Specific feedback: every comment should have a specific point. Watch out for neutral comments such as “good job” “it was fun” because these don’t convey any specifics.
More positives than negative: people generally focus on negative or constructive comments and ignore the positive. To highlight the positive and ensure a feeling of success positive comments should balance out constructive comments. > Sandwich feedback is one method: positive-constructive-positive.
Constructive vs Negative: The goal at KidSpirit is to help people grow and develop. Constructive feedback focuses on specific areas where a person can improve. At no time should KidSpirit staff use negative feedback which focuses on criticism rather than growth.
Staff Directions: In small groups discuss possible ways to approach feedback in each of these examples. We will share your ideas with the full group.
Read each scenario aloud and give the groups 3 min to discuss ideas. Take 2 min to share those ideas with the full group for each scenario.
1. You are head instructing an art class and you notice your Camp Counselor is giving great one on one attention to a specific camper who seems to be improving. However you notice the Camp Counselor doesn’t jump in when you need help with the whole group. How will you approach feedback in this situation?
2. You are head instructing a soccer class. You notice Stella (one of your campers) is really excited about playing soccer and has lots of energy. During drills Stella has trouble keeping the ball controlled while dribbling and seems to be confused. How will you approach feedback in this situation?
3. Tyson was upset in class today and he threw a crayon at Teidra, who shoved him back in response. You talked to them and they ended up apologizing and sharing crayons the rest of the class. After camp you approach both campers’ parents/guardians to communicate about the day. How will you approach feedback in this situation?
Reinforce important points
Be specific with both positive and constructive feedback
Be constructive never negative
Feedback is an opportunity for growth
Feedback can come from top down and from the bottom up