Growth and Development for Kids

For more see
KidsHealth.org

Your Body

Videos:

Activities:

Life Cycle

Life cycle is the series of changes that the members of a species undergo as they pass from the beginning of a given developmental stage to the start of that same developmental stage in a next generation. Check it out: Life Cycle Defined Britannica

Videos:

Activities:

  • Go outside and try to find different seeds. Where are the best places to look for seeds? Can you find an example of the complete life cycle, seed and a flower and a fruit, all on the same plant? 
  • Watch a life cycle video and draw a picture chart of the steps. What things might happen in the environment at each stage that disrupt the life cycle? Draw those environmental challenges on your chart. 
  • Look up the word Metamorphosis. Make a list of local species that go through a metamorphosis. Find the larval (or nymph) form of three insects in your own yard!
  • Compare the life cycle of a plant to that of an animal. How are they the same? Different? For example: Egg vs Seed
  • Frog Life Cycle Coloring Page
  • Life Cycle Crossword     Life Cycle Crossword Answers
  • Go Bug Lesson and Game     Go Bug Game Cards

Sleep for Elementary Kids

Activities:

Why do we sleep?



Sleep for Secondary Students

Activities:

  • Keep a sleep diary - Sleep Diary Secondary
  • Make a bedtime checklist to follow every night - Nighttime Checklist for Older Kids
  • Watch a video on sleep hygiene. Consider things you could change to get a better night of sleep.
  • Calculate what time you need to go to bed in order to get the recommended 9 hours of sleep. 
  • Make a list of things that prevent you from going to bed at the time that would allow 9 hours of sleep. Can you let go of any of these things? Can you make adjustments to your schedule?

Videos:

Boundaries

Definitions:
Boundary - something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent.
Personal boundaries – the limits in personal space and rules we set for ourselves and others
within all our relationships.
Respect - the act of giving attention or consideration.

Videos:

Activities:

After you watch the Respect Personal Space video above, what are
some examples of things you can do to show respect for someone's personal space?
After you watch the Kids Talk about Friends video above, what do you think makes a good friend? How
can you find friends like this?
What are some examples of things you can do to show respect for someone's personal space?
Use a hula hoop to demonstrate personal space. How close can you get to someone while you are hula
hooping?
How to be a Great Friend Word Find
Friendship Skills, worksheet
Friendship Soup, activity
Showing Respect worksheet

Gender and Sexuality

Elementary:

Videos:

Activities:

After you watch “Gender and Toys” (in video section), think about toys that appeal to all genders. Draw some pictures of these toys and either label them (you can use made-up names if you’d like) or write a short story about them.
After you watch Red “A Crayon’s Story” (in video section) think about some things about you that people cannot see. Complete the printable “There’s More to Me Than You Can See”
Think about adults you trust. What does that mean? Fill in My Trust Tree.
There’s More to Me Than You Can See
LGBTQ Definitions for All Ages

Secondary:

Videos and Podcasts:

 
Self-Esteem and Body-Image

Information:
It can be a normal part of living in a growing body to temporarily be less than satisfied with your weight, or hair, or skin, or strength. Sometimes noticing those minor differences can motivate us to make goals for healthy eating and exercise in a good direction. This is a healthy way to live.
However, if the concern about appearance starts to consume your thoughts it can become quite harmful to your health and productivity. It is a lot harder to learn academically and grow physically if your body is unbalanced emotionally or nutritionally. This website is written to help students try to decide if they need to seek help from their Healthcare Provider or Councilor. Remember: Eat when you are hungry. Rest when you are tired. Exercise in a way that brings you joy. Ask for help when you need it.
Video:
What five tips does this video give for liking the body you are in? What are five things that make you memorable? Who are the people around you that seem to live a balanced life that inspires you? Challenge yourself to appreciate those people!

Activities/ Printables:

  • Start Here! The Link Below is an eating disorders screening test that leads to local resources at the end! If it turns out that you have an eating disorder, or if you are concerned about someone who may have one, please make sure to seek help from your Primary care MD and your Councilor! You will see better success by taking that brave first step to ask for help. Eating Disorder Screening Quiz
  • Many Celebrities and Famous Athletes are required to strive for perfection. We can all understand the pressure to be the best! In the resources below, you will find names you recognize. These people had to overcome their struggle with weight and appearances in order to be healthy enough to continue in their career path. Please take note of 1. Any organizations they have founded to help others and 2. Self-care strategies they use to help them cope daily.
    Nine Celebrities with Eating Disorders
    Famous Athletes Who Have Struggled with Eating Disorders
  • Shredding the Haters Activity:
    In this activity, have a large piece of construction paper with a permanent marker. Write down every nasty insult, criticism, or threat you have ever received. The more it affects you, the bigger the words. Place a trashcan in the middle of the room. When you are ready, you are invited to stand up and decide whether to “hold onto” or “shred” the hate filled comments. If you choose the “shredding path,” announce at least two things you choose to release. Examples include:  I release the negativity of my past or I release my childhood bully). Then, shred the hate into bits in the trash can!
  • Draw a Picture of your Heart Art Activity
  • Self Esteem Worksheet
  • Self Esteem Journal
  • Changing Habits Worksheet- Creating a lifestyle of Healthy Habits takes time and repetition! Use this worksheet to provide a visual motivator for lifestyle change, whatever your goal (examples include: hygiene, nutrition, fitness, or media consumption).
  • Self Esteem Lesson Plan Grades 4-8
  • Use the following three articles for the next activity. After reading all three articles, write an answer to the following question: If someone was struggling with body positivity, what are some things you could recommend that they try? Write out some advice you would give this friend.

Apps:

The Best Eating Disorder Recovery Apps
myfitnesspal (An iphone app to help track nutrition, water intake, calories and exercise. It is good to see
that you are getting enough of the good stuff and not too much.)

 
Learning Styles:

Defined: Your learning style is your preference on how you like to learn. Many people can learn in all ways however, knowing your strongest learning style can help you focus your time to study in a way that you learn best.

Activity/Printable:

Take one of the learning style quizzes to find out your learning style and get study tips fit to you!
Online Self-assessment and study tips for your learning style
Printable version of a learning style quiz: What’s your learning style life hack

Video:

How to study for your learning style:


The Seven Learning Styles:
  • Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding. Tips: draw pictures in your notes, use illustrations, diagrams, underlining, graphs, mind-maps and color. Study in a visually appealing place.
  • Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music. Tips: study in groups, talk things out, record lectures, read text out loud, explain ideas to other people, recite out loud, use mnemonic devices.
  • Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing. Tips: take notes during lecture, make and use flashcards to study, borrow and compare your notes to another students notes.
  • Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch. Tips: trace spelling to learn new things, move around to memorize, walk or work out to learn new things, tap your leg or chew gum when you study, write everything out, try a standing desk.
  • Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems. Tips: focus on the order, type out the steps and cut them up to place in correct sequence, figure out the purpose of the activity.
  • Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
  • Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.