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