The average age of our population is rapidly increasing. Walk In My Shoes is a project that reaches across generations and teaches young people about growing older. Participants will learn to better understand older people by sharing their experiences. Through activities, they will learn what it feels like to have an "aging" body. The project helps young people:

• Dispel myths and stereotypes about older people.
• See the physical changes that occur as people grow older.
• Understand how living with physical and sensory change affects older people.
• Learn to communicate with older adults.
• Develop linkages across generations – with families and communities.

Materials Available: Participant manual, leader/teacher guide ©1994. Instant Aging Kits: The Walk In My Shoes project is enhanced with immediate aging kits. The kits are available on loan and allow participants to understand how life changes as we age. Through the use of sunglasses and gloves, participants are challenged to "live" with changes to their senses of vision and touch. (Kits should be reserved well in advance.)

Duration: Twenty-one lessons available.

Illinois Learning Standards: English/Language Arts: 3C - Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes. 4A - Listen effectively in formal and informal situations. 4B - Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience. 5C - Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats. Science: 12A - Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change. 12B - Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment. Physical Development and Health: 22C - Explain how the environment can affect health. 23B - Explain the effects of health-related actions on the body systems. 24B - Apply decision-making skills related to the protection and promotion of individual health.