Advocates for Youth's popular family life education program, Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program, includes chapters on sexuality, relationships, health, violence prevention, and community responsibility as well as chapters on skills-building, values, self-esteem, parenting, employment preparation, and reducing sexual risk.  The following chapters are part of an ongoing revision of Life Planning Education. If you own the LPE binder, download these to replace the old chapters.  Advocates for Youth will announce when the full revision has occurred and entirely new editions of LPE are available for purchase. 

Chapter 1: Who Am I and What Can I Do?

Objectives of Chapter 1:

• To become acquainted with other participants
• To begin to feel comfortable as a member of the group
• To become aware of one's positive qualities
• To identify things about oneself that can change
• To identify potential work skills and strengths

Activities in Chapter 1

• Welcome to Life Planning Education (20 to 40 minutes)
• Find Someone Who Can Say Yes (15 to 20 minutes)       
• On the Move (10 to 15 minutes)
• Working in Groups (35 to 40 minutes)
• Tee Shirt Symbols (35 to 45 minutes)
• Get the Picture (40 to 50 minutes)
• Interview about Me (Session 1: 20 minutes; Session 2: 40 to 45 minutes)
• Body Image (40 to 50 minutes)
• Identifying Skills (30 to 45 minutes)

Chapter 2: What Are My Personal, Family, and Community Values?

Objectives:

• To understand the meaning of values
• To identify personal, family, religious, and cultural values
• To discover which values are most important personally
• To examine the relationship between values and behavior
• To practice communicating values to others
• To practice accepting the values of others

Activities in Chapter 2      

• Introduction to Values (15-20 minutes)
• Family Messages (40-50 minutes)
• What Do You Value? (30-40 minutes)
• What’s Most Important? (40-50 minutes)
• Values Auction (30-40 minutes)
• Values Voting (40-50 minutes)
• Values and Behavior (35-45 minutes)
• Values and Decisions (40-50 minutes)
• Cross-Cultural Exchange (30-40 minutes)

Chapter 3: How Well Do I Communicate with Others?

Objectives:

• To learn what communication is and what makes it effective
• To learn to communicate personal responsibility for feelings and opinions
• To understand how communication can affect feelings and relationships with family and friends and at school or work
• To learn to be a good listener
• To identify and practice assertive communication skills
• To understand that culture affects communication styles

Activities in Chapter 3

• Introduction to Communication (20-30 minutes)
• Using “I” Statements (15-20 minutes)
• Giving Clear Directions (30-40 minutes)
• Body language (25-35 minutes)
• Being a Good Listener (30-40 minutes)
• Speaking Up for Yourself (Sessions One and Two, each 45 55 minutes)
• Communication Skills (30 minutes)
• Refusing What You Don't Want (Sessions One and Two, each 45-55 minutes)
• Reflecting on Communication Skills (30 minutes)

Chapter 4: What Are My Relationships with Others Like?

Objectives:

• To learn which behaviors can enhance or damage a relationship
• To understand the nature of family relationships and what influences them
• To identify qualities that develop and define friendships and romantic relationships
• To explore community relationships and identify people who can help with problems

Activities in Chapter 4

• Introduction to Relationships (40-50 minutes)
• Assessing Relationships (40-50 minutes)
• Diagramming My Family (30-40 minutes)
• Privileges and Responsibilities (40-50 minutes)
• Interviewing Parents or Other Family Adults (Session 1: 30-40 minutes; Session 2: 15-20 minutes)
• Who Makes a Good Friend? (30-40 minutes)
• Circles of Friendships (20-30 minutes)
• Making Friends (40-50 minutes)
• Likes and Dislikes (40-50 minutes)
• What Would You Do for a Friend? (20-30 minutes)
• Where Do You Go? (30-40 minutes)