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Helper Activities and Club Resources - Ages and Stages of Youth

Remember that each youth is unique, even though growth and development proceed in predictable stages. For maximum learning try to match the educational experience with the stage of development. Here is a set of developmental characteristics for youth in three stages of development, followed by some teaching tips on how to work with them.

 

Grades 3-5
Characteristics	Teaching Tips
Learn best when physically active.	Allow youth to participate in activities where they can use physical energy
Have a special attachment to older youth.	Allow youth to choose an older youth to act as their helper and role model.
Are easily motivated.	Use encouragement to keep them motivated.
Reading becomes an individual experience.	Allow time for youth to read on their own and think of activities before working with others.
Attention span is about 45 minutes.	Use varied activities to keep them interested.
Acceptance by peer group is important.	Use the peer group to recognize good work, e.g., applaud completed activities and avoid putdowns.
Interests expand from home, to neighborhood, to community.	Talk to youth about their friends and neighbors and what goes on in their community. Involve them in community service.
Enjoy both cooperation and competition.	Plan activities so that sometimes youth work together, sometimes compete with each other.
Show independence by seeking individual attention and sometimes disrupting the group.	Involve youth in selecting activities they would like. Give individual attention as needed.
Feeling of competence enhance self-concept.	Provide activities which will let youth feel good about themselves and succeed. Recognize them for their accomplishments.
Show loyalty to members of their own sex and antagonism toward those of the opposite sex.	Involve youth in choosing partners.
Grades 6-8
Characteristics	Teaching Tips
Can take responsibility in planning and evaluating their own work.	Give youth responsibility for group activities, including planning, implementing and evaluating.
Can plan their own social and recreational activity.	Provide opportunities for youth to work together. Form committees to plan recreational and social activities.
Can discuss current events, international affairs and social issues with some help.	Use discussion, activities, and games that encourage awareness of current events and issues.
Want to make decisions but still depend on adult guidelines.	Establish guidelines that give parameters for youth to follow.
Gain skills in social relations with peers and adults.	Provide activities which foster social interaction with peers and adults.
Peer pressure mounts, first from same sex, then from opposite sex.	Use peer pressure to influence positive behavior. Have group give encouragement to individuals.
Can be quite self-conscious.	Avoid asking youth to share their individual work until they feel more comfortable with the group.
Strong emotional attachment to older youth and adults.	Encourage youth to participate in activities with older youth and adults.
Choices are often unrealistic.	Assist youth in making realistic choices. Review their plans, discuss alternatives, and help them weigh options before making decisions.
Grades 9-12
Characteristics	Teaching Tips
Personal philosophy begin to emerge.	Use activities where youth search for experiences which will allow them to identify their own philosophies.
Enjoy discussing world situations as well as personal activities.	Encourage discussion of events and feelings.
Abstract thinking and problem solving reach a higher level.	Put youth into real-life problem solving situations.
Strong desire for status in peer group.	Develop a climate in which youth are encouraged and supported by peers.
High interest in social activity.	Encourage youth to plan and carry out their own social activities.
Need freedom from parental control to make decisions.	Help youth realize that their decisions have consequences.
Widespread feeling of inferiority and inadequacy.	Encourage and help youth see their positive worth.

I Helper Activities and Club Resources Main Page I Note to the Project Helper I  
I Worksheets/Handouts I Project Meeting Ideas I
I Experiential Learning Methodology I Ages and Stages of Youth I
I Supporting Internet Links I Club Ideas and Highlights I
I Service Learning Opportunities I Educational and Career Opportunities I