Meet people where they are today, recognize what has shaped their lives, and look ahead to experiences that can support the life they want.
The Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) Life Experience Series supports people to reflect, plan, and advocate for themselves, their family, or the people they support. Created by families, for families, this series is designed for people of all ages, abilities, and life situations. The questions and tools are meant to spark conversations, reflection, and new ideas across the life stages.
Life is a journey. Each stage of life is connected, and experiences along the way can shape the future. In Charting the LifeCourse, this is called a life trajectory. It helps people think about:
Each stage includes common experiences and questions to help guide thinking and planning.
Guiding Questions for Reflection and Conversation
Helps people think about what matters, whether making daily decisions or planning for the future across life stages and domains.
Updated, fully accessible version coming soon.
Quick Guides are short, 4-page guide that focuses on one life stage and includes questions to help people think, plan, and talk about what comes next. The guides can be used by individuals, family members, caregivers, and other supporters to think about questions to ask, options to consider, and things to discuss as they work to positively shape the future and move toward a vision for a good life.
Early childhood is the time in a child’s life before they begin school full time.
You may think it’s too soon to be thinking about your young child’s future, but before you know it, they will be in school and then becoming an adult! You will want to give your child the best possible start to prepare them for the next stages of life, and help them reach their vision for an inclusive, productive, full “good life” in the future.
A Quick Guide in the Life Experience Series
School age is the years from kindergarten through middle school.
Now that your child is school age, he or she will likely spend a lot of time with people other than their parents or family. During this life stage, your child is growing and changing rapidly, and they need many opportunities to have life experiences that will help them learn and excel at home, at school, and in the community, as they move toward becoming a young adult.
A Quick Guide in the Life Experience Series
Transition means that you are moving from childhood to young adulthood and from school to adult life.
There are many things to think about and do to prepare for this change. Transition is a point in a time filled with change, growth, excitement, and sometimes fear and confusion. It is helpful to explore life experiences to have and questions to ask during this transformative life stage.
A Quick Guide in the Life Experience Series
Adulthood is the period from the time after we transition from school and childhood years through the time when we enter our golden years.
For most of us, adulthood is the longest stage of life. Even though the school years have ended, you can continue to learn and grow throughout your adult life.
A Quick Guide in the Life Experience Series
Aging is the period of life when we begin to slow down and experience many age-related changes.
As we age, our lives can change a lot. If we worked our entire adult life, retirement can be both welcome and scary. Our friends and family we lean on may not be around anymore or be able to be a part of our lives as they once were. Experiences and choices you make can help make the golden years more enjoyable and productive.
A Quick Guide in the Life Experience Series