Child Development

1. Child Development Chapter Three – Responsible Citizenship Mr. Marquis

2. Make a Difference • Life is more than discovering who are, taking care of yourself and developing your character. • You can also make a difference in the lives of others. • As you have grown, you have gradually developed your capacity to think of others. • Many opportunities exist for you to make a difference at home, at school, at work and in the community.

3. Make a Difference • A community becomes stronger because of the actions of its citizens. • A citizen is a member of a community, such as a school, city, state or country. • Each citizen has rights and responsibilities. • Citizenship is the way you handle those rights and responsibilities. • By taking responsibility for yourself and your actions, you show responsible citizenship

4. Show Responsibility • Being responsible means you are both reliable and accountable • Accountability means you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions and your words. • You can show that you are reliable by keeping your word and doing what you say will. • To show you are accountable, if something goes wrong and it is your fault, acknowledge your mistakes.

5. Mr. Marquis says: • What does it mean if you call someone a “Flake?” • One of the most important things you will ever build during your lifetime is your reputation. • Being a person of your word can often be difficult, but there are many circles in life where someone who keeps their word is just as valuable as someone who has a lot of money or a prestigious job.

6. At Home • Part of being mature means you accept responsibility and take the considerations of others into account • Some teens try to get away with doing the fewest chores possible. • Challenge yourself to go beyond what is expected of you. • Doing your job, completing chores without being asked, lending a hand when someone needs help are all ways to earn the respect, gratitude and cooperation of others in the family.

7. At School • You show responsibility at school by going to class on time and doing your work. • Being responsible also means you do you part to make your school safe. • Responsibility at school • Protect school property • Help others having difficulties • Treat everyone with respect • Work to improve your school • Support school events • Show you school spirit in positive ways

8. At Work • It is no wonder employers value responsibility so highly, they need responsible employees to run their business at optimal efficiency. • Responsible employees feel personally accountable for the tasks assigned to them. • Employees who demonstrate responsibility are more likely to receive positive reviews, raises and promotions. • Those who do not, tend to be reprimanded and fired at a higher frequency.

9. Becoming a Leader • As a responsible citizen, you may be asked to take on a leadership role • Leadership is the ability to direct and motivate a team or group to achieve its goals. • There are many opportunities for leadership roles in organizations, teams and groups. • Having capable leaders helps organizations attract and keep members that make a difference.

10. Becoming a Leader • Some people view it as a scary and uncomfortable proposition, for others it is a natural step in their personal growth • Benefits of leadership: • You gain experience in communicating your ideas to a variety of people in a different ways • You learn to resolve conflicts • You develop competence and confidence as you guide others • You learn and practice skills that will be useful at work and in your family throughout your life

11. Working in a Group • Collaboration is the combined, cooperative efforts of everyone in a group • Effective leaders ensure that each person’s ideas are welcomed and respected • Every person is encouraged to participate nad contribute

12. Participate in Organizations • An effective way to make a difference is become involved in an organization that interests you • Members of an organization can accomplish more than they can as individuals • An outreach program is a program that offers assistance or services to the community, usually as an act of charity or goodwill. • You will make a bigger difference if you choose the organization to become involved with

13. Volunteering • A volunteer is someone who puts caring into action by offering services free of charge • When you volunteer, you offer your ethusiasm, talents, skills and time to improve the lives of others • Some people volunteer for sense of duty, others do it because they care deeply for a cause • The Peace Corps is an example of a volunteer driven organization

14. Ways to Help • Many teens want to volunteer but are not sure how to help – consider your interests, skills and schedule. • Here are a few ways you can volunteer: • Local food bank, homeless shelter, animal shelter • Participate in a charity walk or race • Join Habitat for Humanity, which helps build houses for low income families. • Coach a Special Olympics team • Plant trees or flowers • Take part in a neighborhood clean-up • Counsel others on a teen hotline • Help with a campaign to combat violence, drunk driving or drug abuse • Work with a recycling program

15. Service Learning • Service Learning involves taking what you learn in the classroom and using it to meet a community need. • For example, Heidi is interested in law-enforcement. Inspired by her personal interest she contacted her local police department, and with the help of her civics teacher and school counselor, • They created a service learning project that helped improve community-police relations and neighborhood safety. • Her involvement made her community a better place to live.

16. Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities • Respect others’ rights • Obey laws • Prevent and report crime • Comply with emergency and security procedures • Pay taxes • Stay informed • Participate in government • Perform jury duty when called • Serve in the military if called (draft)