Age Appropriateness in Youth Service Activities - Grades 9-12

Developmental themes for youth

Each young person develops at a slightly different rate and in a slightly different way. However, general patterns can be seen within different age groups of youth. Here are some major developmental themes to take into account when designing appropriate ways to include youth in grades 9-12 in service.

Intellectual Development

• Abstract thinking emerging
• Make fine conceptual distinctions
• More critical of traditions and institutions
• Connect concrete experiences and abstract concepts
• Concerned with hypothetical (future and remote)
• Formulate and consider a variety of ways problems can be solved
• Deal with logical and imaginary solutions
• Aspirations frequently exceed capabilities
• Learn how to manage time and personal health
• Assume responsibility for career planning and its consequences
• Develop skills important to life as a consumer and for effective use of leisure time

Physical Development

• Physical changes stabilize
• Attention span increases
• Want to be treated more like an adult

Identity Development

• Look for a sense of personal identity
• Tendency to be self-critical
• Evaluating self and thinking about future
• Competitive peer relations produce some distrust
• Confide more in friends than parents
• Worry about physical appearance
• Assurance of acceptance and security of parents is still necessary

Social Development

• Less susceptible to self-centered values
• Emerging understanding of moral principles
• Friendships last longer
• Peer group influence is still intense
• Increase in conflict between peer and adult roles

Values

• Interest in philosophical and ethical problems
• Is aware and verbalizes contradictions in moral code
• Group beliefs still important in influencing values
• Develop citizenship skills important to responsible participation in a democratic society

Adapted from A Practical Guide for Developing Agency/School Partnerships for Service-Learning, Points of Light Foundation, The Power and Potential of Youth in Services to Communities, Minnesota Office on Volunteer Services, and Learning By Giving, National Youth Leadership Council.

OTHER RESOURCES FOR AGE APPROPRIATENESS IN SERVICE:

National Youth Service Day sponsored by Youth Service America, encourages communities to celebrate and recognize the power of young people's involvement in community problem solving. A toolkit is available that explains how to plan and organize a community service project including volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and publicity. Contact: Youth Service America 1101 15th Street NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005-5002 202-296-2992 www.servenet.org

Make a Difference Day "the national day of doing good" sponsored by USA Weekend in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation, is a way for all citizens to get involved in solving serious social and environmental problems. Specific planning guides are available for young people, teachers, employers, and families are great organizational tools that can help anyone plan a great Make A Difference Day project. Contact: Amity Tripp Points of Light Foundation 1400 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 202-729-8122 www.pointsoflight.org OR www.usaweekend.com/diffday

The Giraffe Project has developed the Standing Tall Teaching Guide for students grades K-12. The teaching guides contain lessons and activities to inspire students to stand tall for the common good. It also lists sample service projects and a bibliography of books that contain concepts of caring, courage, service, and action. Contact: The Giraffe Project 197 Second Street PO Box 759 Langley, WA 98260 206-221-7989 www.giraffe.org

The Maryland Student Service Alliance has developed service-learning curriculum guides for elementary, middle, and high school. These instructional guides were developed to help teachers to engage students in service-learning. Contact: Maryland Student Service Alliance 200 W. Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410)333-2427