Healthy Practices as Skills and Outcome indicators

Research shows a positive correlation between the ability to develop and practice the following skills and having a healthy life. Research also shows these skills can be cultivated to promote health and wellness in teens and adults. The following outcomes may be used as indicators to assess students' understanding of each skill.

Advocacy

This skill calls for the use of persuasion to promote positive health choices personally and for others. Outcome indicators:

States a clear understandable position
Position can be interpreted as health-enhancing
Supports a position with accurate and relevant information
Interacts with awareness of the audience
Encourages others to make healthy choices
Has passion or conviction for the position

Goal Setting see also goal setting, self-efficacy, & self-regulation

This skill is an interactive process for individuals. It requires planning and revision through-out the application of the process. Outcome indicators:

Focuses on the situation
Selects a goal by gathering and analyzing appropriate information for a variety of options and their consequences
States a goal clearly
Goal is realistic and attainable
Selects an effective strategy and plan to implement to achieve the goal
Monitors, evaluates, and reflects on the plan and its implementation and makes adjustments as necessary

Communication

This skill is an interactive process between and among individuals to clarify ideas, thoughts, needs, and feelings. Outcome indicators:

Has a clear and organized message
Interactions among individuals assists their understanding of the message
Uses appropriate listening skills
Distinguishes between supported factual information and beliefs or emotional feelings by stating "I think" or "I feel" or using I statements or I messages
Uses a respectful tone
Uses appropriate body language
Supports the message with research, logical reasoning, and meaningful explanations

Decision Making see also 8 step process

This skill requires speculation into the future based on a particular action. Students speculate if this action is taken then that result can be expected. The evaluation of potential results in a decision. Outcome indicators:

Focuses on the situation.
Clearly describes the situation.
Gathers relevant reliable information. Recognizes the influence of values on possible decisions.
Analyzes gathered information.
Identifies alternative ideas or actions based on the collected information.
Generates a variety of possible options.
Generates consequences for all options.
Evaluates and decide on a solution and process for implementation.
Implements the decision.
Evaluates the implementation.
Avoids confusion or intimidation and assists others to understand and move the decision making process toward a healthy conclusion that might benefit the welfare of others and the Earth.

Analyzing Influences

This skill involves analysis of the dynamic factors of families, media, peers, personal interests, and pressures that affect health decisions. Outcome indicators:

Identifies and analyzes external and internal conditions and how they vary.
Identifies a variety of biases and influences that affect decision making.
Interprets how conditions and influences impact relationships and uses this information to better make decisions, set and achieve goals, communicate, and advocate.

Accessing Information

This skill addresses the important steps to take to get valid health information and appropriate health services. Outcome indicators:

Cites specific sources.
Evaluates the validity of all sources.
Provides explanations for the reliability of sources.
Accesses appropriate community resources to achieve specific needs.
Determines specific types of help available from different sources.

Refusal Skills

This skill involves specific strategies to refuse involvement in behaviors which may risk health. Outcomes:

Includes of the word "no" in a refusal response.
Provides an explanation of why in the refusal response.
Offers appropriate alternatives in place of the proposed activity that is being rejected.
Uses body language that supports the communication of refusal.
Includes a description of "walking away" from the situation.

Self-Management Skills

This skill is the actual practice Of healthy behaviors. Outcome indicators:

Demonstrates healthy behaviors and habits.
Identifies protective behaviors (diet, exercise, first aid techniques, safety steps for poison, fire, driving, seat belt usage, cell phone use, texting and driving, alcohol use, risk management) to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Describe and enact procedures for protective behaviors (how to select and eat healthy, how to exercise, how to administer first aid, how to create safe environments, ...)

Conflict Resolution
see also Conflict resolution & 6 step conflict resolution

This skill involves specific strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully. Outcome indicators:

Describes the problem
Describes how each person feels. Distinguishes between supported factual information and beliefs or emotional feelings by stating "I think" or "I feel" or using I statements or I messages
use "I" messages
Explains reasons for each different position.
Explains each other's perspective.
Brainstorm and invent options for mutual benefit.
Agrees on a solution that benefits both sides

Stress Management

This skill involves the use of specific techniques that reduce and manage stress. Outcome indicators:

Identifies situations that cause stress.
Demonstrates techniques to manage and reduce stress (deep breathing, exercise, relaxation strategies, ...)

Dr. Robert Sweetland's notes homeofbob.com & schoolofbob.com