Early Childhood (birth-4):
Early Childhood (birth-4) Maternity leave (in Connecticut) 12-16 weeks paid Preschool from 2 or 3 until 4 - private, so parents choose where to send their kids Daycare for working parents Playdates: good for socializing children and giving parents/caregivers a break Help from the family (especially grandparents) to care for kids is common in this period if the family lives nearby. If no family lives nearby people will hire babysitters (usually young girls) to care for children while their parents aren’t home for a few hours, or nannies (adults) if they need more help. At this stage, your life consists pretty much of eating, sleeping, and playing in various locations….
Childhood (let’s say 5-14) School:
Childhood (let’s say 5-14) School Age 5 - Kindergarten in the public school system (half days) Ages 6-11 - 1st through 5th grade at Elementary School Middle School/Junior High - ages 11-14 This is where you begin having different teachers and classrooms for each subject. Learning responsibility - homework begins around age 6 Most kids who go to public school ride the school bus every day. Kids eat lunch at school - either brought from home or bought at school - and afterwards have recess - free time outside on the playground.
Recreation:
Recreation Kids often start playing organized sports starting at ages 5 and up. Yards are very common - “Go outside and play” How you play often depends on where you live. Summer Camps - day camps for younger children and sleep-away camps for older ones Sports camps are common for older children who have developed some skill in a certain sport. You gain freedom with age - young kids will always be watched by an adult, but as they get older they are free to wander around safe areas, go to the movies with friends, etc. Young kids typically go to bed around 7 or 8, while young teens may stay up until 10.
Young Adulthood High School:
Young Adulthood High School You start to have more freedom to choose what classes you want to take. High School sports are important in the community. Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior = names for students in their 1st-4th years of high school respectively http://www.edline.net/pages/Wilton_High_School
Social Life:
Social Life Kids hang out at friends’ houses (the concept of a pena doesn’t exist), or “hang-out spots” - could be anywhere Often young people will have different friends from different organizations with one main group they spend time with Important rite of passage: getting your driver’s license at age 16 --> more freedom The drinking age is 21, so high schoolers are not legally allowed to go out to bars or clubs - the equivalent is house parties. After school jobs are common from age 16 on (the age when you can legally work), although many young girls begin babysitting at earlier ages. (working for a business and getting a paycheck, as opposed to doing jobs for family, friends, or neighbors) Prom: a big, important dance for seniors and their dates - every high school has one and it’s a big rite of passage; a “last hurrah” before graduating and moving on with life
Age 18: Legal Adulthood:
Age 18: Legal Adulthood Most people turn 18 during their senior year of high school. You can now legally do anything (within the laws for all citizens) except drink alcohol and rent a car At 18 kids usually leave home to go to college/university. They may or may not come home for the summers, so this marks the start of “leaving the nest.”