Positive Teen Development

Learning objectives

To introduce and develop the core set of skills (world bodies such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO) which are the heart of skills-based initiatives for the promotion of mental health and well-being.

To create awareness and usefulness of informative, deeply researched free content and no commercial ads based multilingual online encyclopaedia such as Wikipedia.

Develop a sense of usefulness of search engine such as Google and identify the time-wasting/negative elements in it.

Highlight the useful and practical aspects of online video sharing platform such as YouTube and identify the time-wasting/negative elements in it.

Highlight the usefulness of social media twitter, Instagram, snapchat and social network service such as Facebook and identify the time-wasting/ negative elements in it.

10 CORE SKILLS SET

SKILL 01: SELF AWARENESS

Learning Objective :

To be a catalyst in the of process of building a sense of identity during adolescence (actually going on in the brain).

Expected Learning Outcome:

To be able to actively construct sense of self.

Activity:

Mindful Meditation

Home Resource:

- YouTube

Studies reveal:

Neuroscience research suggests that this process of building a sense of identity during adolescence is actually going on in the brain. When teens made statements about themselves, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain important for self-reflective processing, lit up. This suggests that teens are actively constructing a sense of self.

SKILL 02 :CRITICAL THINKING

Learning Objective :

Who? What? Why? When? Where? How?The teens could relate these questions to themselves and exercise personal self-reflection

Expected Learning Outcome:

Ask relevant, clear questions with a precise and limited scope
Methodically gather information and accurately assess it
Reach well-supported conclusions, and evaluate them against counterevidence

Activity:

Big Paper (discussion topic -social media effects on mental health )

Home Resource:

poster size paper (white colour is a good option)
marker pen, sketch pen

Helpline :

Google
Writing Corner @Proactive Academy

SKILL 03:CREATIVE THINKING

Learning Objective :

Develop divergent thinking

Expected Learning Outcome:

Comprehend experimentation as a component of learning
Thinking about mistakes could lead to new learning and discoveries

Activity:

DIY for friends or Self-use

Home Resource:

as per your requirement and choice

Helpline :

YouTube
Google
Brainstorm Workshop @Proactive Academy

Studies reveal:

The potential to foster creativity among 11-13 year olds is tremendous! Middle schoolers are capable of problem solving in creative ways that will drive their own discoveries and their skills allow them to identify nuances and possibilities.

According to results from the UK government’s report on literacy, children were most creative between the ages of 3-5, when 98% of those tested demonstrated the ability to think in divergent (non-linear) ways. Divergent thinking is a key component to creative thought processes. By the time these children were 8-10 years old, only 32% demonstrated divergent thinking. Among the 13-15 year olds, the number had dropped to only 10%. Obviously, divergent thinking declines tremendously over the course of development. But why?

The reason creativity diminishes as children grow may vary with each stage. For young adolescents, the intense pressure to conform, fit in, and not stand out is one key factor for the (continued) loss of creativity. While teens are known for being impulsive risk-takers, within academic circles they tend to be the opposite. They conform to expectations, often work to prepare for the test, and avoid actions that may draw attention to them or will cause them to make public “mistakes.”

However, there are ways to work with children’s developmental drives and foster creativity at the same time.

SKILL 04: DECISION MAKING

Learning Objective :

To inculcate the four steps of decision-making in the habit and consequently behaviour.

Expected Learning Outcome:

able to recognize a situation that requires their attention-stop, think, act
to think about all the possible choices/options they have in a specific situation
to consider the possible consequences of each choice
to take a decision

Activity:

Future Bowl

Home Resource:

A big bowl
Pen
Few sheets of paper

Helpline :

Speech House @Proactive Academy

SKILL 05:PROBLEM SOLVING

Learning Objective :

To inculcate the six steps of problem solving in the habit and consequently behaviour.

Expected Learning Outcome:

able to identify a problem
to think why it is a problem
to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem
to evaluate the solutions to the problem
to put the solution into action
to evaluate the outcome of the problem -solving process

Activity:

Mental Maths

Home Resource:

notepad
pen

Helpline :

Maths Olympiad @Proactive Academy

SKILL 06: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Learning Objective :

to express ourselves, both verbally and non-verbally, that are appropriate to our cultures and situations

Expected Learning Outcome:

able to express opinions and desires, and also needs and fears
able to ask for advice and help in the time of need

Activity:

bonding between deaf and dumb

Home Resource:

notepad
pen

Helpline :

brainstorm workshop @Proactive Academy

SKILL 07: EMPATHY

Learning Objective :

to have a successful relationship with our loved ones and society at large,
to understand and care about other peoples’ needs, desires and feelings

Expected Learning Outcome:

able to imagine what life is like for another person.
to comprehend that without empathy, our communication with others will amount to one-way traffic.
to comprehend that empathy can help us to accept others, who may be very different from ourselves.
to comprehend that empathy can improve social interactions, especially, in situations of ethnic or cultural diversity.

Activity:

Choose any culture that you find unique (besides your own)

Home Resource:

notepad
pen

Helpline :

speech house @Proactive Academy
Google

SKILL 08: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

Learning Objective :

able to make and keep friendly relationships, which can be of great importance to our mental and social well-being

Expected Learning Outcome:

to keep good relations with family members, which are an important source of social support

Activity:

cleaning the bedroom

Home Resource:

- notepad
- pen

SKILL 09: COPING WITH STRESS

Learning Objective :

to recognize stressful situations as they occur and focus on managing how to react
to recognize stress as the core factor in physical, mental, and emotional disease
to inculcate simple lifestyle changes

Expected Learning Outcome:

comprehend how unconscious physical, mental and emotional habits create stress, aging, addiction and disease
through awareness and simple lifestyle changes like healthy eating habits, reclaiming youthful vitality, joy and well being.

Activity:

food, clock, gardening, singing, listening to music, reading book etc

Home Resource:

notepad
pen

Helpline :

brainstorm workshop

SKILL 10: COPING WITH EMOTION

Learning Objective :

able to recognize emotions within us and others
being aware of how emotions influence behaviour

Expected Learning Outcome:

able to deal with intense emotions like anger or sadness
able to comprehend that emotions can have negative effects on our health if we do not respond appropriately

Activity: