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It’s Not Rocket Science!

It’s Not Rocket Science!. 8 Essential Elements of the 4-H Experience By Linda Schultz 4-H Youth Development Specialist. New Mexico 4-H Youth Development. The mission of 4-H is to help young people become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

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It’s Not Rocket Science!

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  1. It’s Not Rocket Science! 8 Essential Elements of the 4-H Experience By Linda Schultz 4-H Youth Development Specialist

  2. New Mexico 4-H Youth Development

  3. The mission of 4-H is to help young people become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

  4. New Mexico 4-H Vision Develop all New Mexico youth to become productive citizens and leaders for positive change.

  5. Four Basic Needs for PositiveYouth Development Belonging Independence Generosity Mastery

  6. All Youth will find ways to: • 1) Meet their basic needs • 2) Build skills and values • 3) Use their skills, talents, energies, and time in ways that make them feel good and powerful.

  7. Belonging Attached Loving Friendly Intimate Social Cooperative Trusting If youth needs are met: Mastery Achieving Successful Creative Problem-solver Motivated Persistent Competent Independence Autonomous Confident Assertive Responsible Inner Control Self-disciplined Leadership Generosity Altruistic Caring Sharing Loyal Empathic Pro-social Supportive

  8. Belonging Gang Loyalty Craves Affection & Acceptance Promiscuous Clinging Overly dependent If youth needs are met in negative ways… Unmet needs can become defining factors in the lives of youth. Mastery Overachiever Arrogant Risk-seeker Cheater Workaholic Perseveres Delinquent Skills Independence Dictatorial Reckless Bully Sexual Prowess Manipulative Rebellious Defies Authority Generosity Over-involved Plays Martyr Co-dependent

  9. Belonging Unattached Guarded Rejecting Lonely Aloof Isolated Distrustful If youth needs are unmet… Some youth retreat or give up on getting needs met Mastery Nonachiever Avoids Risk Fears Challenges Unmotivated Gives up Easily Independence Submissive Lacks confidence Irresponsible Helplessness Undisciplined Easily influenced Generosity Selfish Narcissistic Hardened Anti-social Exploitative

  10. What is the essence of 4-H Youth Development? • To create opportunities which promote positive youth development • To teach knowledge and life skills which enhance quality of life • To engage young people with the work of New Mexico State University

  11. Eight Essential Elementsof the 4-H Experience Prepared and Engaged Youth: The National 4-H Impact Assessment Project (2001)

  12. What is meant by Essential? • Basic, indispensable, and necessary. • Something on which an outcome depends.

  13. The 8 Elements • A positive relationship with a caring adult • A safe environment • Opportunity for Mastery • Opportunity to value and practice service for others • Opportunity for self-determination • An inclusive environment • Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future • Engagement in learning

  14. Caring Adult… Set boundaries and expectations and they identify each child’s strengths • Advisor • Guide • Mentor • Supporter • Friend • Advocate Supports all youth development needs

  15. Safe Environment Youth learn and participate more fully when they feel physically and emotionally safe. A structured, yet flexible environment encourages honesty, trust, and respect. Supports need for Belonging

  16. Mastery • Building knowledge, skills, and attitudes • Demonstrating competent use • Levels of mastery advance over time

  17. Practice Service • Realizing you’re a part of something larger than yourself • Actively practice service • Being generous with your time and talents Helps to support the need for generosity.

  18. Self-Determination • Believing you have an impact • Feeling a personal sense of influence over your life • Becoming self-directing, autonomous adults Supports need for independence

  19. Inclusive Environment • Encourages and supports its members • Receives positive and specific feedback • Takes time to celebrate successes of all members Supports sense of belonging

  20. Active Participant in the Future • Helps youth see themselves in the future. • Encourages active participation in future events Allows youth to become independent

  21. Engagement in Learning • Developing connections with what they learn and experience in life • Self-reflection • Learn from Experience and Reflection Helps to meet needs of Mastery and Independence

  22. The 8 Essential Elements • 4-H Clubs • School Enrichment • Special Interest are found in all 4-H program delivery modes

  23. The presence of the Eight Essential Elements in the 4-H Experience creates an environment for young people to develop life skills and knowledge

  24. Let’s Put it All Together

  25. 8 Elements distilled to 4 Concepts

  26. I pledge my head to clearer thinking… • Youth need to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision-making and action. By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility, learn to better understand themselves, and become independent thinkers. INDEPENDENCE

  27. I pledge my heart to greater loyalty… BELONGING • Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group. This “fellowship” has always been an important part of a 4-H experience. 4-H gives youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while actively participating in a group. • Current research emphasizes the importance for youth to have opportunities for long-term consistent relationships with adults other than parents. This research suggests that a sense of belonging may be the single most powerful positive ingredient we can add into the lives of children and youth.

  28. I pledge my hands to larger service… • Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose. By participating in 4-H community service and citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others. It’s clear that these experiences provide the foundation that helps us understand the “big picture” of life and find purpose and meaning. GENEROSITY

  29. I pledge my health to better living… MASTERY • In order to develop self-confidence youth need to feel and believe they are capable and they must experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges. • By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices. • Additionally, youth need to have a safe environment for making mistakes and getting feedback, not just through competition but also as an ongoing element of participation. • Finally, youth need the breadth and depth of topics that allow them to pursue their own interests.

  30. The Services, Opportunities and Supports for the Basic Needs are: Eight Essential Elements (for a group experience)

  31. Kids are the focus There’s a good mix of consistency and flexibility The group works hard and plays hard Kids are empowered Service is practiced Kids are listened to and genuinely valued Balance between chaos and rigidity All members successes are celebrated Newcomers are welcomed by existing members What are the indicators? Components of Vibrant Youth Groups Kirk Astroth

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