Adolescence skills taught

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 August 1991, Page 6

Adolescence skills taught

BY JO HOWIE Cath Johnston has started teaching Waiouru Form One and Two students basic coping skills and values for I adolescence. | "This will help them | to cope with some I problems which may arise during adolescence, such as peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and family problems. Hopefully these children will then make good rather than bad decisions," said Cath. The course originated in America and is promoted around the world by Lions Club International and the Quest National Centre. The local Lions club approached the Waiouru School Board of Trustees for volunteers and Cath Johnston, a relieving teacher at the time, attended the three day teacher training course at the beginning of last term. She takes the Form One and Two students for one hour a week. "The programme is aimed at the early adolescent years because this is a particularly vulnerable stage of development," Cath explained. "It also is a time when they come into contact with many negative forms of behaviour and when peer pressure is extremely difficult to fight or stand up to." Topics taught include: I entering the teen years; I building self-confidence I through better commu1 nicationjlearning about emotions- developing ) competence and self as- ■ j sessment and self disciI 1 pline; friends- improv-

ing peer relationships; strengthening family relationships; developing critical thinking skills for decision making; setting goals for healthy living. "Too many young people become sexually active at a young age, drink alcohol, and take drugs because they feel it's a necessary part of being accepted," Cath said. Four parents' meetings which encourage parents to share their experiences in dealing with adolescents are also held. Topics for the meetings are:Improving self-confidence in your child; improving communication skills;

solving family conflicts with love and limits; talking with your child about drugs. "Being a good parent is not something that happens as soon as we have children. Like everything else, it has to be worked on, improved upon and is often very hard work," said Cath. "Next year these young people will be in the problem area age group for Waiouru," said a parent. "The curfew was enforced because of the thirteen- fifteen year old age group. These skills taught to the children and their parents may help alleviate these problems in next year's teenagers."