Life Skills for Youth: Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3)
Head
Thinking | Learning to learn | - is curious; ask questions
- has many ideas
- is creative
- is active learner; learns by "doing"
- uses senses
- defines or classifies things by their use
- learns how to do the process
- learns to observe
| | Decision making | - explores values, beliefs, and attitudes
- accepts responsibility for consequences of personal actions
- usually has good judgment
- identifies alternatives; able to choose among a few selected alternatives
| | Problem solving | - seeks solutions to problems
- is able to consider a few selected alternatives
| | Critical thinking | - asks questions before, during, and after acquiring information
| | Service learning | - gains information about the community and its people
| |
Managing | Goal setting | - may complete simple projects
- explores possibilities; more important than reaching a goal
| | Planning/organizing | - does simple sorting and categorizing
| | Wise use of resources | - learns value of money
- learns to make change
| | Record keeping | - learns to write
- begins to sort and classify
| | Resiliency | - is aware of life changes; has experienced or knows of others
who have had changes in family, moved to new home, illness, etc. - chronic stressful conditions challenge developmental tasks
- may want to discuss situation and gain assurance
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3)
Heart
Relating | Communication | - is outgoing, talkative, carries on conversation
- engages in group discussion
- has selective listening
| | Cooperation | - has cooperative group experiences
- likes cooperation, not competition
| | Social skills | - has interactions that revolve around play
- learns from and with others in small groups
- expands circle beyond family
- needs individual attention
- begins to learn good manners
| | Conflict resolution | - is learning to get along with others
| | Accepting differences | - appreciates differences
- may reflect parents' values
| | Concern for others | - shows caring concern toward peers
| | Empathy | - is aware of differences in situations
- demonstrates empathic behavior towards peers
| | Sharing | - is learning to share toys
- is learning to share the time of an adult
| | Nurturing relationships | - has "best friend"
- falls "in love" with teacher
- is still dependent upon parents
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3)
Hands
Caring | Community service/volunteering | - is usually willing to help with appropriate tasks
| | Leadership | - learns to be a group member
- learns to listen when other speak
| | Responsible citizenship | - learns salute to the flag and patriotic songs
- may become familiar with simple historical stories about country
| | Contributes to group | - is aware of work done at home and in the community effort
- is responsible for household chores
- develops cooperative skills
| |
Working | Marketable skills | - is ready for school
- gets exposure to a variety of job roles in community
- learns math, reading, speaking, manual dexterity
- role-plays a variety of career choices
- takes field trips to explore careers; processes information with adults
| | Teamwork | - understands children's and parents' roles as essential to the family
- unit and part of a system
- some are more ready for working together than others
| | Self-motivated | - learns about time and being on time; punctuality
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3)
Health
Being | Self-esteem | - is sensitive to criticism
- has strong desire for affection, attention, and acceptance from adults
- understands self
- is becoming more independent
| | Self-responsibility | - accepts responsibility for own actions
| | Character | - learns respect for self and others and belongings
- learns consequences of being dishonest/not telling the truth
| | Appropriate expression | - recognizes own feelings
- of feelings
- understands feelings are OK
| | Self-discipline | - develops self-control
- tries many roles in imaginary play
- has rituals and routines
| |
Living | Healthy lifestyle | - is able to make healthy diet choices
- reflects family and personal tastes
- is mastering physical skills including coordination, balance, and strength
| | Stress management | - is aware of stressful situations
- is aware of own reactions to stress
| | Prevention of disease | - is aware of personal symptoms of illness
- knows of family practices
| | Personal safety | - learns appropriate personal responses to danger
- applies information to situations
| |
Other Age Groups
[ Index | Ages 9-11 (Grades 4-6) | | Ages 12-14 (Grades 7-8) | Ages 15-19 (Grades 9-12) | Adults ]
Timothy J. Rollins, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, The Pennsylvania State University.
Adapted from: Hendricks, P. A. (1996, Nov). Developing youth curriculum using the targeting life skills model. Ames: Iowa State University, University Extension.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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