Lakewood's Promise

For 0 to 14 Years^

Top Six Actions

1.   Read a story to your children as often as possible during the week. If a child in your group struggles with basic number/letter recognition or simple reading or math, seek an evaluation for the child.

2.   Every time you see a child demonstrate a basic value such as caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, etc. name that behavior and compliment the child on demonstrating that value.

3.   Observe each child. Review appropriate developmental milestones each month and compare to the child’s development.

4.   Send home a family activity at least monthly. It can be a discussion question, game, song, etc.

5.   Plan daily interactive activities to teach children basic skills like counting, the alphabet, making change, reading.

6.   Engage each child in some form of technology, such as phones, computers, etc. at least weekly.

Additional Actions to Consider

• Send the children home with a one-page story every few weeks. Include a note asking parents/caregivers to read it to their children.
• Provide cross-generational experiences for your children every three months.
• Help the children solve problems themselves when they arise.
• Encourage the family to go to the library together.

For 6 to 10 Years^

Top Six Actions

1.   If a child in your group struggles with reading and math skills, ask if he/she would like a tutor and help arrange for one. Explain how a tutor can mentor as well as help with academics.

2.   Recognize children in your group who have shown academic growth. Recognize improvement, rather than grades.

3.   At least twice a year, think about whether each child has shown any signs of a learning disability.   If the answer is yes, follow your organization’s procedures.

4.   Develop activities that improve communication, team-building and problem-solving skills, self-control, discipline, study habits and self-confidence.

5.   Send a short story or book home with the children every few weeks. Include a note asking parents/caregivers to read it to their children or to have the children read it aloud.

6.   Have games with questions that require the use of newspapers, periodicals and other published materials to find the answers.

Additional Actions to Consider

• Every three months, send home an activity for the family to do together. It can be a discussion, a question, a game, a song, etc.
• Discuss values with the children every two months. Help them distinguish core values (caring, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, civic virtue).
• Provide opportunities for children to use various forms of technology in their regular activities.
• Invite parents/caregivers to a meeting three times a year to see their children’s accomplishments.
• Ask children to write and illustrate their own two-page story, then share it with family.
• Talk with children about their hobbies and interests. Use their interests to spark activities and discussions.

For 11 to 14 Years^

Top Six Actions

1.   At least every three months, ask how each youth is doing in school. Praise improvement even if it is slight. Offer tutors to youth who need help.

2.   Empower youth to make decisions to build self-esteem. Peer leadership is one example.

3.   Plan activities that require basic comprehension skills, including reading, writing and math.

4.   Teach money management skills, including setting goals and establishing a savings plan.

5.   Plan activities that let youth experience cultural diversity and affirm it. Talk about diversity in workplaces.

6.   Encourage youth to take keyboarding classes or provide access to keyboarding tutorials.

Additional Actions to Consider

• Discuss the qualities that make a “person of character.” Talk about which values build character. This discussion should take place in different forms every three months.
• Discuss with youth at least twice a year what it takes to keep a job. Seek their ideas, rather than telling them yours.
• Participate in Groundhog Job Shadow Day (students “shadowing” a professional for a day on the job) or other similar programs.
• Talk with youth about the importance of professional appearance and self-image in getting a job.
• Ask about the kinds of jobs they would like to have when they are old enough. Follow up this discussion with individual questions to each youth.
• Help youth get the necessary documentation for school and work, such as identification cards, social security cards and birth certificates.
• Take field trips to work places and bring in guest speakers to talk about their work experiences. Staff and alumni should also share their career path with students.
• About every six months, send home a question on a current topic for the family to discuss.

For 15 to 18 Years^

Top Six Actions

1.   Ask the youth in your group if they have a job or would like one. Help them learn to interview and find a job. Include information on resume writing, interview skills, etc.

2.   Offer tutors for youth who need help in a school subject.

3.   Ask the youth twice a year if they have daily access to a computer. If a youth does not, help them get this access.

4.   Participate in Groundhog Job Shadow Day (youth “shadowing” a professional for a day on the job) or other similar
activities.

5.   Discuss opportunities for internships, apprenticeships and summer jobs, and the steps to obtain these opportunities.

6.   Take youth on a field trip to a business, factory or corporation at least once a year to talk about the occupations offered there. Have young employees talk about what the company requires for their jobs.

Additional Actions to Consider

• Take youth to a college or vocational school to see what life is like in that environment. Meet with students at the school.
• Discuss the qualities and values that make a “person of character.” This discussion should take place in different forms about every three months.
• Discuss at least twice a year what it takes to keep a job. Seek their ideas rather than telling them yours.
• Discuss financial skills such as money management, life insurance, investments, etc.
• Help each youth explore their personal strengths and how they can be used in a career.
• Send home questions on a current topic for the family to discuss at least every six months.
• Discuss how a board of directors operates. Train youth in the skills needed to serve effectively and role-play within your group.
• Provide an ongoing mentoring program linking youth with adults in vocations of special interest to them.
• Provide community-based scholarship programs such as Dollars for Scholars to motivate, challenge and financially assist youth to pursue a post-secondary education.
• Empower youth through peer leadership.