Section 1An Orientation to

Kansas 4-H Youth Development

Objectives of this session:

►Strengthen your understanding of the Kansas 4-H mission statement and philosophy of youth development.

►Increase your understanding of providing age appropriate learning experiences.

►Increase your understanding of creating a safe, positive

4-H learning environment.

What is 4-H ?

“4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.”National 4-H Leadership Trust

K-State Research and Extension

4-H is the Youth Development Program of

K-State Research and Extension Cooperative Extension Partners

USDA Kansas State University Local County or District Extension Council

What is 4-H Youth Development?

Kansas 4-H Mission

With unique strategies and opportunities, Kansas 4-H Youth Development engages youth in reaching their full potential through partnerships with caring adults.

Kansas 4-H Vision

A world where youth and adults advance positive life skills by learning, growing, and working together.

4-H Program Partners Member Leader Program Development Committee Extension Council County / District Extension Staff Area Extension Office State 4-H Youth Development Office Kansas 4-H Foundation National 4-H Headquarters National 4-H Council

4-H Guiding Principles

Youth Development is the focus of everything we do

Youth and Adult partnerships are essential to successful Youth Development

4-H Guiding Principles

Volunteerism is fundamental

Strength is attained from diversity across the entire range of 4-H experiences

Experiential learning is basic to 4-H

The Purpose of 4-H

Positive Youth Development

Intentional set of activities and experiences intended to develop life skills in youth

Kansas 4-H Life Skills

Sound Decision Making

A Concern for the Community

A Positive Self Concept

Healthy Interpersonal Relationships An Inquiring Mind

Essential Elements for 4-H

In 1999, a team of evaluators was given the charge of determining the “essential elements of a 4-H experience.”

Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

Youth Development Research Emphasizes Essential Elements

All youth need to feel a connection to others in a group. 4-H gives youth many opportunities to connect with others.

Essential Elements - Belonging

By exploring 4-H projects and activities youth learn to master skills

Essential Elements - Mastery

Creating opportunities for youth to develop skills and confidence for leadership is a cornerstone of 4-H

Essential Elements - Independence

By exploring 4-H community service activities, youth can connect with their community and learn to give back to others

Essential Elements - Generosity

Section 2

Creating Age Appropriate 4-H Learning Experiences

Characteristics:7 and 8 Year Olds

Physical Growth is Slow and Steady

Developing Small Motor Skills

“Active” Learning “Show and Tell” Short Attention Span

Characteristics:7 and 8 Year Olds

Leader is a Role Model Learning How to be

Friends Cooperative Games and

Activities

Characteristics:9, 10, and 11 Year Olds

Need Physical Activity “Hands-On” Involvement Role Model is Critical “Joiners”

Characteristics:9, 10, and 11 Year Olds

Self-reward is Important Can Take on More

Responsibility Need Acceptance of Peers

Characteristics:12, 13, and 14 Year-olds

Variety of Physical Development – girls maturing faster than boys

Moving from Concrete to More Abstract Thinking

Small Group Interactions are the Best

Characteristics:12, 13, and 14 Year-olds

Away-from-home Activities Help Develop Independence

Opinions of Peers is Important

Emotions are on a Rollercoaster Ride

Avoid Comparing Young People with Each Other

Characteristics:15 Years Old and Older

Identifying Their Own Abilities and Talents

Looking at Their Future Abstract Thinkers Need More

Challenging Leadership Roles

Characteristics:15 Years Old and Older

Leader/Member = Advisor/Independent Worker

“Self” is important Independence and

Personal Identity is Important

Developing Into Self-directed Learners

Constructive Learning Experiences – Learn by Doing

4-H creates opportunities for youth to developskills, practical knowledge and wisdomthrough observing, doing and living throughexperiences

Constructive Learning Experiences – Learn by Doing

Emphasis is on practical application of knowledge or “learn by doing” todevelop skills and acquirea sense of responsibility,initiative and self-worth

To teach knowledge and life skills which enhance quality of life

Learn by doing…

Experiential Learning Model

Experience: Just Do It

Individual or group experience

Involves doing

May be unfamiliar

Pushes learner to a new level

Share : What did you Do?

Talk about the experience.

Share reactions and observations.

Freely discuss feelings generated

by the experience.

Share: Ask

What did they do?

What did they see? Feel? Hear? Taste?

What part of the experience was most

difficult?

What part was easiest?

Process: How did You Do It?

Discuss:

How the experience was carried out.

How the problems and issues were

brought out.

How specific problems were

addressed.

Process: Ask

How did they go about

doing this activity?

What problems or issues

came up as they did the

activity?

How did they deal with

these problems?

Why is the life skill they

practiced important?

Generalize: What Did You Learn?

Identify:

General trends or

common truths

Real life principals

that surfaced

Key terms that

capture the learning

Generalize: Ask

What did they learn from the experience?

How does this learning relate to other

things they have been learning?

What similar experiences have they had

(with this life skill or subject matter)?

Apply: How Will You Use What You Learned?

Discuss how:

New learning can be

applied to other

situations.

Issues raised can be

useful in the future.

Apply: Ask

How can they use what

they learned?

How could what they

learned in this experience

relate to other parts of

their life?

How can they apply (the

life skill practiced) in the

future?

Experiential Learning Model

Section 3

Creating a Safe, Positive 4-H Learning Environment

4-H Learning Environment

Volunteers must create 4-H Learning Environments that are safe, positive and nurturing

Risk Management is…

Thinking ahead and planning for safety and emergencies

Risk Management is

The effective and efficient use of human and material resources to minimize actual or potential damage, harm or negative effects to clients, volunteers and paid staff.

Analyzing Risk

Risk Management strategies are dependent upon two variables How often the risk

could occur FREQUENCY

How serious it could be SEVERITY

Risk Management

Protect yourself and the youth Do not be alone with a single youth Practice two deep leadership where possible Do not leave youth unsupervised

Provide Safe Transportation Have a completed Kansas 4-H Participation

Form for each youth Drive safely and legally

Preparation Checklist:

4-H Participation Forms for each member and adult volunteer

First Aid Kit Severe Weather Transportation Facilities/Equipment Insurance Communication

Real Life 4-H Scenario #1

Your 4-H club has decided to do a community service project and plant a flower bed at the street corner where an old shed was recently torn down.

Real Life 4-H Scenario #2

Your committee is planning a “Fantastic Fall Festival Hay Rack Ride.” All the 4-H members, their family members, and all leaders will be there.

Youth Protection

This Kansas 4-H Youth Protection effort is designed not only to provide protection for the child, but also for the volunteer, and the organization.

Child Abuse

Child abuse is any physical injury, physical neglect, emotional injury, or sexual act inflicted upon a child.

4-H volunteers may be the first to observe signs of problem or suspect that a child needs help.

4-H volunteers are not legally required to report, but can view reporting as a moral responsibility in order to assure youth a safe environment to learn and grow.

4-H volunteers protect youth and keep their best interests at heart.

Financial Accountability

4-H is tax exempt (Federal and State) Federal – contributions to 4-H are tax deductible State – with state tax ID number, sales tax exempt

Fundraising – Money must go into 4-H Account Money must be spent to further 4-H purposes EIN – Employees Identification Number – IRS Form SS4 Club/Group Financial Report form filed with local

Extension Executive Board annually

4-H Name and Clover Emblem Clover emblem is held in trust by USDA Clover emblem is protected by congressional act on

the same level as Presidential Seal Use of clover emblem is authorization only

In local unit by chartered 4-H groups In state by State 4-H Leader Nationally by National 4-H Headquarters Commercial use from National 4-H Headquarters only

Can be revoked at any time if misused

4-H Volunteers Play a Vital Role

“All youth need a caring, supportive relationship in their lives. YOU can be that someone by showing interest in, actively listening to, and fostering the gifts of 4-H youth.”

Dr. Cathann Kress

Director of Youth Developmentat National 4-H Headquarters