PATHFIN

DER STAGES OF

DEVELOPM

ENT

L E S T E R LO R E N S O N

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Concrete Thinking

Inferential Logic

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Concrete Thinking

Opportunity: Hands on training Literal skills

Danger: Manipulating deductive logic Emphasizing deep lessons

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Industry vs. Inferiority

Can I be good? Can I do well?

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Industry vs. Inferiority

Opportunity: Show students they can do well in this group. Provide alternate ways to succeed.

Danger: This may be the last straw of failure. Arrogance in those who always succeed.

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Might be stuck on punishment defines bad. Might still be in reward defines good.

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Ideally should be ending conformity stage. Defines good by obeying rules.

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Justice level

May be moving to stage of realizing social order is the reason for rules.

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Justice level Opportunity:

Show concrete examples of how to apply more advanced justice. Show that fair does NOT mean equal treatment. Chance to see how Bible talks to punishment, reward, conformity,

and social contracts.

Danger: Give in to their level of justice. Allow regression Allow someone to be defined as the ‘bad child.”

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Girls: Many will be in puberty.

Tired in the morning More about social interactions Seeing interactions with boys as social situations Moving toward focus on peers

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Teach social kindness Help them define appropriate power in relationships Make units stronger

Danger Girls manipulate the boys Girls left out Group too independent

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Boys: Most probably not in puberty.

Physical interactions paramount Focus on family and authorities Sees interactions with girls as physical or “game playing”

10 – 11 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Establish yourself as the authority Teach them group work

Danger: Too much language-based learning Too much sitting Too many complex social expectations

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Abstract Thinking Begins

Inferential logic Deductive logic Complex thoughts

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Opportunity New thoughts on familiar Bible stories Give chances to “play with ideas” Many more things that can be thought through Increase their chances to think for themselves instead of reflect

others

Danger Engage in debates that shake their faith Emphasis on arguing instead of doing Expecting too much too soon

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Identity vs. Confusion

Who am I?

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Identity vs. Confusion

Opportunity: Define their own core beliefs Find their niche in their ministry Provide group support for excellent thoughts

Danger: Lost to cynicism Intellectual arrogance vs. experienced adults Guilty feelings about doubts

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Some still define good by authority. Most now define good by social contract.

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Opportunity: Show them how God’s deals inform social contracts. Provide opportunities to show how laws should be based on God’s

plan.

Danger: Right based on current social norms Allow an adult to be the absolute authority May stop believing because of injustice in the church

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Opportunity: Show them how God’s deals inform social contracts. Provide opportunities to show how laws should be based on God’s

plan.

Danger: Right based on current social norms Allow an adult to be the absolute authority May stop believing because of injustice in the church

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Girls: Many will be in at stage 3 or 4 in puberty.

Attracted to and attractive to older boys Growing fast: often diet Often physically dominant over many boys

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Define equal relationships with peer boys Learn to appreciate becoming a woman

Danger Dieting: too strong emphasis on body image Inappropriate relationships with older boys Ostracizing of girls who are developmentally delayed

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Boys: Most will be in puberty

Embarrassed with new feelings Growing fast Tired in morning Need to test their new strength Trying to find ways to interact with girls socially Shift emphasis toward the group

12 – 13 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Develop lifelong fitness habits Control impulses toward girls Group challenges

Danger Too strong emphasis on sports Inappropriate treatment of girls Strong guilt toward feelings and experimentation

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Abstract Thinking Advances

Complex thoughts Integrating spiritual values Troubled by cognitive dissonance Love new thinking challenges

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Abstract Thinking Advances

Opportunity: Develop Christian apologetics Create personal testimony Analyze challenges to their faith

Danger Attraction to countercultural utopian ideals Too much emphasis on abstract ideas instead of how to implement

them Problems in the church can really hurt their faith

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Continue Search for Identity vs. Confusion

Who am I?

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Continue Search for Identity vs. Confusion

Opportunity: Refine reasons for their beliefs Witness powerfully Lead many parts of church

Danger: Lost to utopian visions Argue well instead of witness Terrible confusion when they see hippocrisy in the church

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Continue Search for Identity vs. Confusion

Opportunity: Refine reasons for their beliefs Witness powerfully Lead many parts of church

Danger: Lost to utopian visions Argue well instead of witness Terrible confusion when they see hypocrisy in the church

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Most now define good by social contract. Some now begin seeing universal ethical principles.

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Justice level

Opportunity: Show the universal principles taught by Jesus Encourage them to move to the next level of understanding Reduce impact of legalism

Danger: Some in church may not be wiling to engage in conversations

about principles instead of rules. This may result in some real anxiety when principles collide.

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Girls: Many have virtually completed puberty.

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Encourage girls to use their maturity to lead the younger girls Create ideals for womanhood

Danger May lead toward the wrong priorities Many temptations sexually

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Boys: Most will be well into puberty

Gaining some control of hormones Many have deep-seated anger as testosterone increases Continue to grow very fast Interactions with girls important Many values based on peer group Getting much stronger Need to succeed

14 – 15 YEARS OLD

Physical Development

Opportunity: Compete with honour Use physical abilities to influence for Christ Work with girls to create a strong club Work hard to succeed

Danger Anger issues Leave Pathfinders because of peer pressure