Age-Appropriate Lessons

Domain

Initial Social Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Initiate eye contact
Joint reference--shift gaze during conversation (between speaker & object)
Maintain eye contact
Smile in response to communicative attempts
Acknowledge presence of others
Cease activity to attend to communication
Recognize and use facial expressions
Attempt to initiate communication (protest, command, request, summon)
Imitate actions/communication
Nonverbal turn-taking
Engage in solitary play
Engage in parallel play
Engage in symbolic play
Share

Expressing Feeling Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Identify & understand feelings/emotions
Know your feelings
Express feelings/emotions appropriately
Use "I" statements
Use appropriate language (body functions, parts, swearing, etc.)
Recognize and respond to others' feelings
Deal with feeling left out
Deal with fear
Show affection
Deal with embarrassment
Deal with frustration
Deal with disappointment/losing
Deal with winning/success
Deal with boredom
Deal with anger
Be honest

Social Relationship Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Say thank you
Engage in cooperative play
Greet others
Read body language
Use body language to communicate
Understand vocal inflection
Use vocal inflection effectively
Active listening
Recognize & choose a communication style (passive, aggressive, assertive); (bully, doormat, adult styles)
Introduce yourself
Introduce others
Respect personal space
Recognize social limits (strangers, formal, familiar, family)
Touch appropriately
Begin a conversation
Maintain a conversation
End a conversation
Join in (gain attention appropriately)
Interrupt appropriately
Apologize
Accept compliments
Give compliments
Ask for help
Offer help
Ask a favor
Respond appropriately to situations (humor, anger, moods)

Classroom Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Use adults as resources
Bring materials to class
Follow instructions
Follow rules
Complete assignments
Use time wisely
Try when it is difficult
Take risks

Decision-Making & Problem Solving Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Anticipate a difficult situation
Identify a problem
Identify solutions
Predict consequences
Decide on a solution
Convince others
Prioritize
Set & attain goals

Conflict Management Skills

• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Primary
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Intermediate
• Sample Age-appropriate Lesson - Secondary

Maintain self-control
Identify stressful situations
Relaxation skills/tactics
Stand up for a friend
Respect others' rights and property
Negotiate differences/compromise
Tease appropriately
Respond to teasing
Identify peer pressure
Respond to peer pressure
Accept consequences
Be assertive
Avoid trouble
Avoid fights
Deal with accusations
Deal with contradictions
Respond to persuasion
Accept constructive criticism
Accept limits/"no"
Take responsibility for behavior

TOP OF PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and Philosophy

How to Use this Guide

Early Childhood Special
Education

Lesson Design

Skills Index

Age-Appropriate Activities

Roleplay Rating Sheet

Homework Sheets

Surveys

Progress Reports

Cross Reference - Drug-Free
Schools Curriculum

Resources & References

Acknowledgements