Section 1 An 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. ►I ncrease 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 develop skills, practical knowledge and wisdom through observing, doing and living through experiences

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

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 Development at National 4-H Headquarters