Growth Education
Growth Education at Fayerweather is designed to explore health, safety and human
development with students in grades PreK-8. Students are given concrete information
about a wide range of subjects from human biology and psychology to keeping themselves
safe. The program provides a context in which children’s questions, curiosities
or anxieties about any of life’s complex issues can be explored in a supportive,
straightforward manner, respectful of differences. The goal of the Growth Ed curriculum
is for children to be empowered to make life-enhancing decisions that will impact
their physical, emotional and mental well being. Self-esteem and respect for others
are the top priorities of the Growth Education curriculum.
Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
Every child from kindergarten through fourth grade participates in the Child Assault
Prevention Program (CAPP) each year. CAPP consists of three role-plays designed
to exemplify difficult or dangerous situations a child might encounter. Children
strategize different ways of dealing with the situations and see the role-plays
acted out successfully. Third and fourth grade, students learn anatomy and physiology
through a study of the human body and a research project. Human anatomy and physiology
are revisited in the seventh and eighth grade.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
In fifth and sixth grade, the Growth Education Coordinator works with the classroom
teachers in teaching a series of classes on body changes and puberty. Topics include:
body changes, puberty, AIDS, body image, nutrition, the media, gender issues, managing
stress, making transitions and sexuality. Variations on the CAPP, as well as other
role-plays, provide strategies for dealing with common problematic peer situations,
such as how to say no to a friend, how to deal with teasing, inclusion and exclusion.
Children have the opportunity to meet in both mixed gender and same gender groups.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
In seventh and eighth grade, Growth Education is a weekly class. Topics covered
in fifth and sixth grades are visited in deeper, age appropriate ways. Students
are given factual information about drugs and alcohol and do role-plays that deal
with drug related peer pressure. Outside speakers also provide
additional information and support to students.