Life: Stages of life

Life: Stages of Life

The stages of life—childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age—are like chapters in a book. Each stage brings its own joys, challenges, and lessons, shaping who we are and how we see the world.

Warm-up 

• “Which stage of life do you think is the most exciting—childhood, teenage years, adulthood, or old age?”
  • “Each stage of life brings new challenges, lessons, and joys.”

What Are Life Stages?

Explain:
• Life is a journey with different chapters.
• Each stage shapes who we are and prepares us for the next.
Example:
• Childhood → learning basics like walking, talking, and playing.
• Adulthood → building careers, relationships, and goals.
Deep thinking question:
• Why do you think people often look back on childhood with nostalgia?

Lessons in Each Stage

Explain:
• Every stage teaches us something important.
• Childhood = curiosity, Teenage years = identity, Adulthood = responsibility, Older age = wisdom.
Example:
• Teen learns from mistakes while finding independence.
• Grandparent shares wisdom from their experiences.
Deep thinking question:
• Which stage do you think teaches us the hardest lessons, and why?

Growth Through Change

Explain:
• Moving from one stage to another means growth, even if it feels scary.
• Change shows progress in life’s journey.
Example:
• Student graduating → leaving school routines behind to start adult life.
• Retiree → adjusting to free time after years of work.
Deep thinking question:
• How does change between life stages make people stronger?

Finding Meaning in Every Stage

Strategies:

1. Celebrate where you are now.
2. Learn from the past, but don’t stay stuck there.
3. Look forward to what the next stage can bring.
4. Accept that every stage has both struggles and joys.
   Example:
   • Child enjoys playtime.
   • Adult enjoys independence and choice.
   • Elder enjoys sharing wisdom and memories.
   Deep thinking question:
   • What’s one thing you can enjoy more in your current stage of life?

Discussion Questions

Fun & Creative

1. Do people change more in childhood or adulthood?
2. If your life stages were seasons, which stage would be summer, and which would be winter?
3. If each stage had a theme song, what would play during your teenage years?
4. Which stage of life would be best to turn into a movie?
5. If life stages were colors, what color would your stage be today?
6. If babies could give a speech, what wise advice would they share?
7. If life stages were different types of animals, which one would represent adulthood?
8. What if you could skip one stage of life—would you, or would you keep them all?

Wrap-up & Reflection

• Life is a journey with stages that build on each other.
  • Every stage offers growth, lessons, and meaning.
  Reflection: “What’s one lesson from your current stage of life that you want to carry into the next?”