How important is it to develop socio-emotional skills in young people in conflict with the law? Is it possible to do this through games and recreational activities?
As part of the AG4C project, we worked with 5 Sicilian communities for young people, training 28 educators in the implementation of 18 recreational-recreational activities for the development of socio-emotional skills. During the testing phase of the AG4C methodology, some of the trained educators worked with 48 minors or young adults from the communities. Based on logistical and organizational needs, each community chose at least 6 of the 18 activities to be implemented over the course of one or two days.
The young people involved very much appreciated the opportunity to experiment with something new and motivating that would break their routine and allow them to interact more with their peers. Furthermore, the simplicity in carrying out the activities meant that anyone could be included regardless of the different physical abilities.
The impact of using the AG4C methodology is measured in terms of strengthening social relationships and removing cultural barriers between the young people involved, but also the ability to cooperate, interact and play in a team. In addition, the impact assessment revealed greater emotional well-being and the ability of young people to channel anger emotions. Some educators had the need to adapt the games to the linguistic difficulties of any of the participants, but the flexibility of the methodology made it possible to overcome this challenge.
Five of the educators who were trained and who took part in the testing phase then had the opportunity to participate in the final project conference in Brussels during which they deepened the use of the AG4C methodology and met with the European colleagues. stranger on common experiences.
Lastly, the local communities were invited to take part in a final public event on the topic of active games which included some practical sessions of play and experimentation of playful-recreational activities. At the end of the AG4C project we therefore believe that we have contributed to demonstrating the effectiveness of games and recreational activities in developing the socio-emotional skills of young people in conflict with the law and we hope that the educational resources developed can also be useful in new contexts similar to those involved during the project.
For more information about the project and to access the educational resources, go to the project sheet at this link: https://cesie.org/en/project/ag4c/
About the project
ActiveGames4Change: Sports and Physical Activity Learning Environment for Citizenship, Emotional, Social e-Competences is cofunded by Erasmus+, KA3 Social inclusion and common values: the contribution in the field of education, training and youth.
Partners
- University of Gloucestershire (UK, coordinator)
- University of Beira Interior (Portugal)
- CESIE (Italy)
- Aproximar (Portugal)
- IPS – Innovative Prison Systems (Portugal)
- Centrul pentru Promovarea Invatarii Permanente – CPIP (Romania)
- BAGázs Public Benefit Association (Hungary)
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Justice – General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses Izmir Probation Directorate (Turkey)
- Fundación Diagrama Intervencion Psicosocial (Spain)
- Centrul de Detenție Craiova (Romania)
For further information
Read more about ActiveGames4Change and visit www.activegames4change.org.
Contact Alice Valenza: alice.valenza@cesie.org.
