Farm Safety Camp Manual

Age Issues

This manual is based on the Process of Change which looks at behavior change as a multi-step process beginning with awareness of the risks associated with certain behaviors, and ending when a new, less risky behavior is adapted and maintained. To make people aware of risks, information must be provided in a way that is age appropriate. This manual is designed for children 8-12 years of age. It is not appropriate for children younger than age eight.

Ages 8-10 Years

The 8-10 age group is easily influenced by peers and parents because the children value them. Campers learn from watching the behavior of others (including parents). They also look to older role models and television personalities. This age group wants to be accepted by others and they are influenced by what others do.

The 8-10 age group has poor eye-hand coordination, they are impulsive and they have a slow reaction time. These three factors place the 8-10 year campers at increased risk for injury when operating or working near motorized equipment and large animals.

Communicating with this age group is fundamental to sharing the information in the manual. The campers learn from spoken and unspoken information. If they are told to wear a seat belt, but the parents do not wear seatbelts, the message is seat belts are not important, a completely wrong message. Often, it is necessary to have the campers give feedback so you know what they heard and how they applied the information. Consistency between taught and observed messages is very important.

A few things to consider when planning "how" to teach the 8-10 year campers:

1. The 8-10 age group learns best when more than one sense is involved in the learning process. Hearing is only one sense; touching, seeing, smelling are also pathways for teaching. A demonstration followed by role-playing and interaction is an effective way to teach using more than one sense.
2. Beware of fear. Fear tactics only raise stress levels, and fear is a distraction for this age group. If a fear message is sent to the campers, it should be followed with what can be done to reduce the risk of a fearful incident. The campers should be given tactics for identifying risks, such as facts, norms, consequences, and value of safety. A solution must be offered with any fear message.
3. Often, what seems logical to adults is not logical to campers. They have difficulty making logical connections and may not recognize a hazard or risky behavior. Caution, beware of their self-concept when implying that a behavior change is necessary.
4. The 8-10 age group has little daily carryover of information. Repetition is needed.
5. Sequence of information is important. Information should be provided in a sequence going from simple to more complex.
6. Use the present tense when teaching. Their interest is peaked when information is in the here and now.
7. Their attitudes on health and safety are still forming, so aim for attitude!
   

Ages 11-12 Years

The 11-12 age group looks to school, family, and peers for information. However, they are most influenced by peers, especially peers they hold in high regard. Parental influence begins to decline at this stage, but it is never totally lost. The early adolescent is motivated by outward attractiveness (as perceived by the adolescent) and gaining social position.

This group experiences growth spurts and the accompanying awkwardness, which, in turn, influences coordination. They are willing to experiment. These two factors, unreliable coordination and willingness to experiment, place this age group at great risk for injury. They are also very interested in motives and intent. The teacher/instructor should be someone that the campers view as having good intentions.

A few things to consider when planning "how" to teach the 11-12 year campers:

1. Any information they receive must have relevance to their lives or their attention is lost.
2. Teach facts and moderation. They need information that will help them make decisions and they tend to discredit overreaction.
3. Correct their misconceptions. They may base decision-making on incorrect information. In order to determine what these misconceptions are, the camper will need an opportunity to participate and express his/her self.
4. They like involvement, so discussion and role- playing are good avenues for reaching the early adolescent.
5. The 11-12 age group must have repetition. Best if repetition is from multiple sources over a long, extended period of time. Should hear and see safety practiced at camp and also experience the same safety message on their parents' and grand parents' farms. For example, no extra riders on tractors. They may hear, see, and believe that concept at camp and school, but they also need to see that practiced by their parents and grandparents over a lifetime.
6. Early adolescents need decision-making skills to weigh options and determine what is appropriate behavior. They may need to hear what the outcome of bad choices could be and how to avoid the risky behavior.
7. Fear should not be overplayed. Again, moderation is best and always include a way to avoid the danger or negative outcome.
8. Adolescents are on a journey to reach self-reliance, so aim for teaching them skills that encourage safe decision-making!

* Andersen, K.E., 1978; Dorr, A., 1980; Glanz, K., 1987; Lee, B., 1999; Maibach, E., 1995

Back to Contents

---