SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH
INTERACTIVE LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT THAT IS FUN, ENGAGING AND TEACHES VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS.
Our interactive youth programs are specifically designed to ensure the learning and retention of necessary life skills to aid in each youths personal growth. It is an excellent approach with the horses being the teacher as the horse has "loud teachable moments" that they never forget. This gives the youths an experience to pull from when they are faced with choices in everyday life as they build strong solid skills working with their teacher. Our youth curriculum programs are usually longer term and range between 8 - 12 sessions. This allows our facilitators to not only ensure the effectiveness of the course but also to track the advancements in each of the youth within it.
This program is an important educational tool that should be considered for youth who are dealing with behavioural issues, suffering from low self-esteem, combating drug abuse, lack communication skills, need to develop leadership skills or the ability to work with others. As well as, help build strong skills through our school curriculum programs and anti bullying programs. The benefits are endless when participating in our experiential youth programs! We look forward to partnering with you for success in building life skills for our youth!
11 YEARS OLD
I had fun and I haven’t had fun in a while. I can’t wait to come back.
TEACHER
We need more creative ways to teach youth. This program does just that! My students will hold this creative and positive learning experience in their memories forever. Thanks again!
13 YEARS OLD
My horse just wants to be loved. Dealing with him makes me forget about all the bad things. He makes me smile and happy.
Horses are ideal teachers for use with children. Once a child is taught the basics of working properly with a horse, he or she can become the leader the horse seeks. When the horse feels safe, cooperation is a hundred fold and the child can easily get the horse to do what is asked of it. Bringing that piece back to their lives as everything is a parallel to how to work with people and themselves in their own lives.
All of these experiential programs for youth are not only educational but have been designed for youth to acquire strength-based life skills (i.e., developmental assets) such as effective communication, enhanced problem-solving, a better understanding of body language, respecting personal boundaries, among others.
The benefits of physical well-being are identified through:
(a) physical status - improved physical health (taking part in other physical activities because of Equine Assisted Learning participation, the youth feel better about themselves physically)
Out of the mouths youth: “it made me feel better about myself, I can do stuff without people judging me.” “it made me feel more active.”
(b) the importance of physical touch with the horse - experiencing healthy or safe touch (while grooming, i.e., brushing their body, braiding the mane, petting the horse, hugging the horse, standing close allowing for body contact)
Out of the mouths of youth: “I thought that if I could do that [horse program], I could do anything.”
Mental wellbeing can include mood/feelings, cognition, perception, thoughts, self, intellect, emotion, judgement and identity through perceptions of self.
Social wellbeing focuses on interpersonal relationships of the individual’s relationships or associations with friends, family, community and the universe. All programs are focused on becoming a better communicator through the understanding of space, body language, and dialogue.
Positive change in behaviour (increased awareness of self, others and own learning) like a horse has boundaries and they are clear as to where they want a person to be. The distance and their reaction when you cross those boundaries, as that is what we look for in people too.
TEACHERS THAT DELIVER RESULTS.
WHY DOES THIS WORK?
Participation, retention, fun and oh yea... a horse!
What can an 1200 pound teacher do for our kids?
The value of working with horses as a teaching tool to learn new skills have been proven time and time again in the teaching of young people and especially teenagers. The use of an equine assisted learning program is a unique way to teach young people who are fortunate to participate in the Partnering For Success' Youth Interactive Development Programs.
What if we could have a window into our own behaviours?
Horses understand how to differentiate between potentially threatening behaviour and a calm and assertive nature. Children and young people who have the chance to work with our youth development programs are able to learn how to modify their behaviour through sets of objectively-driven exercises that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. This type of teaching cannot be delivered in a classroom. It is the experience of being in close contact with horses that has the most effect on young people.
Give your students the skills necessary to ultimately better prepare your children to take on the challenges that life throws at them.
One of the many bonuses of working with horses vs a classroom setting is the component of interactivity because we all learn differently, but we can all take away lessons that we learn through our experiences. Each of our exercises is custom designed to maximize learning potential and focus on developing individual skills as they work through each fun interactive group challenge.
Teams/individuals will;
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develop relationships
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accept responsibility and accountability
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overcome barriers to find change
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be encouraged to be creative and innovative
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find opportunity in working together
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realize the benefits associated with effective communication
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and recognize the value of mutual trust, respect, and personal integrity...All while having a blast!?
Equine Assisted Learning acts as an important educational tool to help to develop empathy and kindness as well as combat;
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Behavioural disorders
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Low self-esteem
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Bullying
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Drug abuse
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Emotional issues
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Poor communication skills
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Inability to work with others
SCHOOL CURRICULUM PROGRAMS
This specific life skills BuildingBlock™ Curriculum Series is a great alternative to traditional education. Each of our objectively driven exercises is custom designed to maximize learning potential and focus on developing individual skills as youth work through fun interactive group challenges, in an experiential environment. Emphasizing self-responsibility, participative education involves the students in experiences relevant to his or her future and provide the students with the opportunity and methodology of learning from these experiences. Students develop self-reliance, self-confidence, and increased self-esteem, leaving better equipped for their lives at school and home, and for lifelong, continued learning.
ANTI BULLYING PROGRAMS
The best way to help children not become victims of bullies is by teaching them to bully-proofing skills. Victims of bullies usually exhibit poor communication skills and tend to be left out of activities, leaving them isolated. A child with bullying issues may be just as much a victim in his own life as the child he directs his aggression towards. Our equine life skills development programs are ideal for both the bully and the bullied, as these programs encourage the growth of social skills, communication skills, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness, self-esteem, positive leadership skills, choice-making skills, and responsibility, creativity, and laughter.