Section 1 An Orientation to Kansas 4-H Youth Development

1. Section 1An Orientation toKansas 4-H Youth Development

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. What is 4-H Youth Development?

6. 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.

7. Kansas 4-H Vision A world where youth and adults advance positive life skills by learning, growing, and working together.

8. 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

9. 4-H Guiding Principles • Youth Development is the focus of everything we do • Youth and Adult partnerships are essential to successful Youth Development

10. 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

11. The Purpose of 4-H • Positive Youth Development • Intentional set of activities and experiences intended to develop life skills in youth

12. Kansas 4-H Life Skills Healthy Interpersonal Relationships An Inquiring Mind Sound Decision Making A Concern for the Community A Positive Self Concept

13. 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.”

14. Youth Development Research Emphasizes Essential Elements • Belonging • Mastery • Independence • Generosity

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

16. Essential Elements - Mastery By exploring 4-H projects and activities youth learn to master skills

17. Essential Elements - Independence Creating opportunities for youth to develop skills and confidence for leadership is a cornerstone of 4-H

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

19. Section 2Creating Age Appropriate 4-H Learning Experiences

20. Characteristics:7 and 8 Year Olds • Physical Growth is Slow and Steady • Developing Small Motor Skills • “Active” Learning • “Show and Tell” • Short Attention Span

21. Characteristics:7 and 8 Year Olds • Leader is a Role Model • Learning How to be Friends • Cooperative Games and Activities

22. Characteristics:9, 10, and 11 Year Olds • Need Physical Activity • “Hands-On” Involvement • Role Model is Critical • “Joiners”

23. Characteristics:9, 10, and 11 Year Olds • Self-reward is Important • Can Take on More Responsibility • Need Acceptance of Peers

24. 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

25. 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

26. Characteristics:15 Years Old and Older • Identifying Their Own Abilities and Talents • Looking at Their Future • Abstract Thinkers • Need More Challenging Leadership Roles

27. 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

28. Constructive Learning Experiences – Learn by Doing 4-H creates opportunities for youth to develop skills, practical knowledge and wisdom through observing, doing and living through experiences

29. Constructive Learning Experiences – Learn by Doing Emphasis is on practical application of knowledge or “learn by doing” to develop skills and acquire a sense of responsibility, initiative and self-worth

30. To teach knowledge and life skills which enhance quality of life Learn by doing…

31. Experiential Learning Model

32. Experience: Just Do It Individual or group experience Involves doing May be unfamiliar Pushes learner to a new level

33. Share : What did you Do? Talk about the experience. Share reactions and observations. Freely discuss feelings generated by the experience.

34. 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?

35. 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.

36. 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?

37. Generalize: What Did You Learn? Identify: General trends or common truths Real life principals that surfaced Key terms that capture the learning

38. 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)?

39. 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.

40. 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?

41. Experiential Learning Model

42. Section 3Creating a Safe, Positive 4-H Learning Environment

43. 4-H Learning Environment Volunteers must create 4-H Learning Environments that are safe, positive and nurturing

44. Risk Management is… Thinking ahead and planning for safety and emergencies

45. 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.

46. Analyzing Risk • Risk Management strategies are dependent upon two variables • How often the risk could occur • FREQUENCY • How serious it could be • SEVERITY

47. 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

48. Preparation Checklist: • 4-H Participation Forms for each member and adult volunteer • First Aid Kit • Severe Weather • Transportation • Facilities/Equipment • Insurance • Communication

49. 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.

50. 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.