WHAT IS STEP 1 STUDY & LIFE SKILLS?
STEP 1 Study & Life Skills is a two year study of life experiences and skills a child age 5-6 needs to have in order to survive the complex world around them, as well as a start at the developing of a work ethic, a sense of fairness and exchange, and skills which will help carry the student throughout all their studies to come.

HOW DOES STEP 1 STUDY & LIFE SKILLS WORK?
Like all STEP 1 courses, STEP 1 Creative Writing courses are like “scripts”, used by the teacher.  Like all STEPS studies, STEP 1 courses are broken into daily lesson plans.  Each lesson plan is made up of small things to be done, in sequence.  The teacher/parent uses each lesson plan like a script, doing what the lesson plan asks.  Sometimes, the parent is asked to read to the student. What is read is right there in the lesson plan, no guess work, “writing” by the teacher, or hunting for materials needed.   Much of the teaching at this level is done this way.  Sometimes, the teacher is requested to show students some art work, video, or photography – all found in sequence, in the lesson plan.  And in every lesson plan, the student uses what has been taught and does things, sometimes in the form of games, but there are always activities.  There are eight Step 1 Study & Life Skills courses, intended to be done two per semester for four semesters, or two years of study.

The first of these courses deals with a subject near-and-dear to every parent’s heart where their children are concerned – safety.   Safety at home, in a classroom, in and around cars, on field trips and in public places.  The student develops an idea of their own responsibility for their safety.  Then, courses develop basic study skills, and an understanding of the world around the student.  The student develops the ability to make and carry out plans.  They develop a concrete sense of fairness based on reasonable exchange to and from others.  Finally, the start to establish simple goals for their life.

A student's safety and well-being is the first priority of any concerned parent or teacher. A student who is not safe, and who does not feel safe, is not likely to learn much.  Their attention will be on their lack of safety. 

Study & Life Skills is is a series of courses intended to help the young student understand and work with ideas which will keep him or her safe and well. As an example, in the first semester the student learns about how not to get lost, what to do if he does become lost, how to be safe in and around cars, how to use objects found in and around a classroom or study area safely, and similar skills.

These courses are fun for the student and tutor, and may be indispensable in helping orient the student, and allowing him to actively participate in his own state of well-being. There are several courses per semester, each one targeting specific areas of concern. These should be done twice weekly.

MY 5-6 YEAR OLD IS GOING TO LEARN THESE SKILLS?  REALLY?
Yes, assuming these courses are done honestly and with a sense of creativity and fun.  The parent/teacher will need to utterly refrain from critique of the student’s thoughts and work, remembering that the student is going to develop an increasingly real and mature sense of the world, of themselves, and of these skills and understandings, as the years go by.  But yes, your student can develop all these skills on a real if simple level, at this age.  These courses can help that take place.

CAN I PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL STUDY AND LIFE SKILL COURSES TO FILL NEEDS IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
Yes.  Each STEPS course is a free-standing, independent study.   Just look them over and see if any of them align with your student’s needs and interests.

CAN I PURCHASE A YEAR’S WORTH OF STUDY & LIFE SKILL COURSES?
Yes.  You may purchase a “bundle” on our site of the two year program of Step 1 Study & Life Skill courses.  Bundles are the least expensive way to purchase STEPS courses. 

HOW QUICKLY COULD I START USING STEPS 1 STUDY & LIFE SKILLS?
Start now.  You can start STEPS at any time of the year, 24/7/365.   Everything you need is pretty much included in the courses you will download, for STEP 1.

HOW MUCH DO I, THE TEACHER OR PARENT, NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CREATIVE WRITING TO TEACH AT THIS LEVEL?
You (teacher/tutor/parent) do not need any expertise in subjects your student is studying, using STEPS.   Not as a teacher, or in the subjects being taught.  You do not need a degree, or experience as a teacher.  Each course does the “teaching”.   Just follow the lesson plans, and keep your eyes open for fun opportunities related to whatever the student is studying now.   The course does the teaching.

A SUCCESS STORY FOR STEP 1 STUDY & LIFE SKILLS
I want to thank you. I have been using STEPS with my four kids for over a year now and have been so impressed with all of it. But I especially want to thank you for the Starter "What is Fair?" course that I've recently begun with my son. He is adopted and came to us with a lot of well-earned, but often destructive, anger and grief. This course has allowed messages about fairness and how we treat other people to come from a voice other than my own or my husband's and that has been incredibly powerful. The messages contained within it are all things he needs to practice and understand and it has been a true blessing to read through this with him as part of school as opposed to delivering it like a lecture after an infraction. Thank you!!! A.R., Homeschool Mom
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I did this course with my four year old daughter. It was simply fantastic and she really enjoyed it. This Study & Life Skills course is such a refreshing course to do with little ones. My daughter is probably sick to death of going over letters and numbers and this offered her a fun distraction while she learned important safety information. Looking forward to doing more of the series with her!  J.V., Homeschool Mom