Life Skills for Youth: Ages 9-11 (Grades 4-6)
Head
Thinking | Learning to learn | - uses concrete thinking
- learns to locate resources
- learns to achieve and produce a product
- develops intellectual curiosity; interests change rapidly
- likes to explore ideas
- enjoys discovery learning
- learns to apply experience
- learns to break things into steps; sequencing
- likes to do well in school
- likes a wide variety of learning experiences
- needs simple and short directions
| | Decision making | - gathers information for improved decision making
- is able to choose among several alternatives
- begins to internalize adult feelings toward religion, ethnic groups, money, etc.
- develops opinions
| | Problem solving | - identifies problems
- gathers information needed to solve problems
| | Critical thinking | - develops wider comprehension
- has capacity to consider more information
| | Service learning | - learns about what makes up a community
- learns the place of service roles within a community
| |
Managing | Goal setting | | | Planning/ organizing | | | Wise use of resources | - gains understanding of exchange of resources for goal
- explores options
- finds it difficult to delay immediate pleasure for future goals
| | Record keeping | - can categorize information
- can select useful information
- does not see value in record information
| | Resiliency | - has remarkable ability to adjust
- observes and has ideas about changes in self, family, and community
- learns to manage situations more independently
- uses friendships to help in times of transitions
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 9-11 (Grades 4-6)
Heart
Relating | Communication | - verbalizes freely, especially small and familiar group
| | Cooperation | - develops teamwork skills
- practices good sportsmanship
- enjoys cooperation
| | Social skills | - likes group activity
- meets more new people
- knows good manners
- girls prefer to be with girls, boys prefer to be with boys
| | Conflict resolution | - can perceive two points of view
- can generate consequences of different points of view
| | Accepting differences | - sense of humor is well defined
- understands diversity
- trusts oneself and others
| | Concern for others | - shows interest in situations of others in other places
- honestly cares about others
| | Empathy | - is sensitive to others' situations
| | Sharing | - is learning to share use of a tool while working together or to share part of what one has
| | Nurturing relationships | - needs guidance from parents/adults for best performance
- wants approval, support, and acceptance from adults
- forms loyal friendships
- admires and imitates older boys and girls
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 9-11 (Grades 4-6)
Hands
Caring | Community service/volunteering | - enjoys participating in short-term group effort
| | Leadership | - participates as a team member
- contributes to group effort
- helps set group goals
- values diversity
- identifies one's own competencies
| | Responsible citizenship | - learns history of country and about important leaders
- takes pride in contributions of ancestors to developing the country
| | Contributes to group | - contributes effort toward common interest or school task effort
- respects work done at home and in community
- learns that more can be done when working together
| |
Working | Marketable skills | - benefits from structured exposure to community work environments
- is aware of a variety of occupations and careers
- understands similarities and differences between various jobs
- researches possibilities; may do journaling
- understands and uses new technologies
- learns how to use and care for things
- understands scientific and technological ideals
| | Teamwork | - enjoys working together with others of similar interests/abilities
| | Self-motivated | - takes responsibility for meeting deadlines
- spends time on task wisely
- is usually on time
- begins to break tasks into steps or parts for easier completion
- benefits from adult support/encouragement
- is eager to try new things
| |
Life Skills for Youth: Ages 9-11 (Grades 4-6)
Health
Being | Self-esteem | - is self-assured in group; vulnerable if singled out
- is concerned about acceptance of peers
- learns about self through relationships
- needs recognition, praise for doing good work
- defines interests, talents, and abilities
| | Self -responsibility | - understands one's own needs and wants, and the difference between the two
| | Character | - has sense of fairness
- has regard for property of self and others
- is aware of differences in values
| | Appropriate expression | - learns how to express own feelings appropriately of feelings
- correctly identifies feelings in others
| | Self-discipline | - is growing in self-reliance, independence
- is able to govern self
- shows independence by disobedience, back talk, and rebelliousness
| |
Living | Healthy lifestyle | - learns basis for improved choices
| | choices | - is actively involved in physical exercise
| | Stress management | - is aware of causes for stressful situations
- reacts appropriately to stressful situations
| | Prevention of disease | - learns consequences of unhealthy practices
- learns to take positive action
| | Personal safety | - observes and identifies dangerous situations
| |
Other Age Groups
[ Index | Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3) | 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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