LIFE SKILLS TRAINING CURRICULUM

Life Skills Training:

Each member of the Thundercats Youth Organization has to complete a 90 minute life-skills training class one day a week, for six weeks.  These classes focus on self-awareness, interpersonal skills, decision making, drug awareness, and community awareness.  We also stress the importance of education by holding weekly study hall and tutorial classes for those in need. 

            The life skills training curriculum explained below will be taught in accordance with a curriculum developed by Lifeskills4kids.com. 

The age specific study materials and optional school assembly presentations cover six key topics: Self-awareness, Interpersonal skills, Decision-making, Drug Awareness, Refusal skills, and Earth/Community Skills

Self-Awareness

The program teaches children that their bodies are irreplaceable "million dollar machines" that allow them to accomplish their dreams. The self-awareness lessons demonstrate the priceless nature of the human body, appropriate ways to deal with feelings, specific health care techniques and the ability to set and attain goals in life.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills activities develop the students' ability to interact and work in groups. By examining the special qualities in others, these lessons develop empathy, courtesy, friendship, cooperation and teamwork. The section ends by establishing the special role students have as family members.

Decision Making

The decision making section develops self-responsibility by showing students how to deal with decisions and problems. A simple problem solving model is provided, along with numerous opportunities to practice using it at home and in the classroom. This is followed by a lesson on specific refusal techniques. These techniques are designed to be useful in any threatening or dangerous situation, not just situations involving drugs. The section ends by encouraging children to rely on trusted adults for help with problems.

Drug Awareness

The drug awareness section begins by showing students how to avoid risks that exist in their environment, including drugs. Rather than dwelling on detailed information about every drug, the lessons show children why they should avoid using any drug at any time. A detailed understanding of medicine as a healing tool used by trained professionals is also included. This section concludes by exploring social and family problems caused by drugs and how children can deal with these situations.

Earth Skills and Community Development

The Earth skills section gives children a perspective of themselves in relation to the planet and the environment. By establishing the Earth and the community as priceless resources that all living beings share, children become dynamic participants in the natural world around them. The section ends with activities that directly involve students in community revitalization such as “Piccoli clean up day” and the “Paint the park” events.