Reproductive Health Lessons: A Supplemental Curriculum for Young People

Developed by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this supplemental reproductive health (RH) curriculum is designed to complement any life skills-based curriculum and may be used by youth development organisations working to provide information and raise awareness among young people. The lessons are best suited for young people ages 14 or above and can be used with both in-school and out-of-school youth. Lessons can be presented by teachers, instructors, youth leaders, or peer educators. The structure of the lessons, which encourages participatory youth learning, was adopted from the General Electric (GE) Foundation Life Skills for Employability Program implemented by IYF.

Ten topics have been selected for inclusion in this publication: personal values, puberty, reproduction, teen pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, gender, substance abuse, and violence. Each lesson is designed to be taught in 60 minutes and is detailed in this resource in two sections:

1. Information a leader will need as he/she prepares to teach the lesson, including: learning objectives, lesson preview, materials needed, and tasks to complete before teaching (example: "Create a visual listing the four ways to respond to a bully or intimidator."), prerequisite skill or lesson, age group of participants, and length of lesson.
2. Actual instructions for conducting the lesson, including:
   • Generating interest in the topic through a quote, a game, a discussion, a riddle, a brief statement, or similar method.
   • Demonstrating information, concepts, or skills - presented by the leader or through methods such as short lectures, large- or small-group activities, role plays, demonstrations, and/or discussions.
   • Launching a group activity (a game, a practice situation between pairs or small groups of participants, a role play, a skit, a discussion, etc.) designed to enable participants to practice using the concepts or skills presented in the lesson.
   • Asking participants to take what they have learned and what they have practiced and consider how they might use it in their lives ("practical application").

In addition, some of the lessons are accompanied by comments, suggestions, information, and/or helpful hints designed to help a leader conduct the lesson; for some, resources are offered to give leaders additional information on a particular topic. It is advised that a leader become familiar with a topic prior to the lesson and try to find additional information available in local language. Some of the lessons include handouts to be used by participants, and can be found in attached annexes (e.g., word puzzles, worksheet handouts, methods handout, and role play handout - all on the topic of contraception).

In 2012 and 2013, the International Youth Foundation published country specific adaptations of this resource to align with country and cultural contexts. These countries include St. Lucia, Jordan, Tanzania (in English and Swahili), and Senegal (in French).