Age Appropriateness in Youth Service Activities - Grades 6-8

Age Appropriateness in youth service activities

Grades 6-8

The service of young people is an important resource in solving community problems. But like any volunteer, they need to be matched with volunteer opportunities that are appropriate. Developing age appropriate service activities will ensure that they and the agency they are serving receive the most out of their experience. Depending on the age of youth, concrete developmental features must be present to retain a youth's interest and energy in service.

This Resource Packet includes resources that give a brief overview of the developmental themes for youth in grades 6-8, projects ideas for this age group, and a list of other resources.

The following two pages on developmental themes are adapted from the following materials: A Practical Guide for Developing Agency/School Partnerships for Service-Learning Contact: The Points of Light Foundation, Youth & Family Outreach 1400 Eye Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 202-729-8135 www.pointsoflight.org

The Power and Potential of Youth in Services to Communities, "Service Experiences Through the Eyes of Youth" Contact: Minnesota Office on Volunteer Services 117 University Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55155 1-800-234-6687

Learning By Giving Contact: National Youth Leadership Council 1910 West County Road B St. Paul, MN 55113 651-631-3672 www.nylc.org

Developmental Themes

Youth grades 6-8

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 6-8 in service.

Physical Development

• Rapid physical growth and development
• Wide range of developmental differences
• Improved coordination
• Highly energetic and active
• Short attention span

Identity Development

• Emerging self-consciousness
• Looking for a sense of group identity
• Preoccupying themselves with appearance
• Self-concept is influenced by bodily changes
• Needing affirmation from parents, peers, adults
• Facing pressures to conform to "masculine" and "feminine" roles
• Facing self-esteem issues-particularly girls (This is the time young women are encouraged away from math and science, which lowers their income power and choices for employment)
• Wanting to be heard
• Wanting independence, frustrated by lack of opportunity
• Having feelings of ineptness
• Developing likes, dislikes, attitudes
• Rebelling
• Having emotional outburst; feelings are on the surface

Social Development

• Strong need to fit in
• Susceptible to peer pressure
• -Loyal to friends and peer group -Peers become source of behavior standards and models -Team games popular -Tendency to conform to peer group standards of dress -Value acceptance by peer group -Tendency to be intolerant of those who are "different"
• Facing decisions regarding alcohol and drug use
• Learning relationship skills
• Egocentric
• Idealistic
• Self-conscious
• Need to challenge status quo and authority
• Have ability to be empathetic

Intellectual Development

• Transition from concrete to abstract thinking
• Emergence of independent critical thinking
• Can apply logic to solve problems
• Can solve problems by considering alternatives
• Need to be allowed to make mistakes and try again
• Beginning to be aware of future and life-planning issues
• Need to look beyond self
• Value exploration
• Asserting and developing own value system
• Understands ethical abstractions (example: justice, honesty)

Values

• Beginning to be aware of social issues
• Have desire for social action and responsibility
• Want to be socially engaged, to make a difference, to give hope

PROJECT IDEA STARTERS AND EXAMPLES OF SERVICE PROJECTS

FOR GRADES 6-8

• Hold a multi-cultural, gender-fair, disability-aware career and life-planning fair.
• Plan an intergenerational cultural exchange
• Gather oral histories
• Get training for peer tutoring and conflict resolution
• Develop water quality projects
• Plan and execute environmental protection awareness campaigns
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen or nursing home
• Help with literacy and voter registration campaigns
• Serve on boards for non-profits that affect youth issues
• Research handicap issues
• Do a community needs assessment survey
• Plant and maintain a community garden
• Sponsor a school wide drive for canned food, small toiletries, and clothing
• Volunteering at a soup kitchen
• Sorting and packing food at a food bank
• Plan and sponsor a "dog walk" to raise money for local pet shelters
• Make or donate bird houses for parks and walking trails
• Tutor younger students after school