1. How Do I Know If Activities Are Positive For Youth? The Four Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development Deb Ivey Iowa County 4-H Youth Development Agent

2. What Do We Know About These Events? A school dance A 4-H project meeting A church youth mission trip A high school sports event An AAU sponsored basketball team A student council activity A boy scout camp A community recreation softball game

3. What is the Difference? They are all youth events and activities. Are they all youth development events and activities? Are they all positive youth development events and activities?

4. How are They Different? Youth are learning and growing every day. Youth development. All activities lead to youth development. But not all are positive youth development.

5. Does It Really Matter?  RESEARCH ↓  BEST PRACTICES ↓  POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

6. Positive Youth Development (PYD) Positive youth development occurs from an intentional process that promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, choices, relationships, and the support necessary for youth to fully participate. Youth development takes place in families, schools, peer groups, neighborhoods and communities.

7. What Do Youth Need? Access to safe places Challenging experiences Caring people on a daily basis

8. What Should Local Programs Include? A variety of opportunities to participate in meaningful activities To feel valued by their communities To make informed and healthy choices

9. Four Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

10. 8 Elements of Positive Youth Development Positive Relationship with a Caring Adult An Inclusive Environment A Safe Environment Opportunity for Mastery Engagement in Learning Opportunity to Value and Practice Service to Others Opportunity for Self-determination Opportunity to See Oneself as an Active Participant in the Future

11. Assessment How do we know if what we do is positive youth development? Here is a simple checklist that will help you identify elements that are strong in your programs and elements that need improvement.

12. What does this mean for your organization? Where do you go from here?

13. References Administration for Children and Families. 2004. Positive Youth Development. www.ncfy.com/ydfactsh.htm Broshar, D. (2002) Iowa 4-H Youth Development. Retrieved from http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/YDYouthActivities.htmBroshar, D. (2002) Iowa 4-H Youth Development. Retrieved from http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/YDTrainingAdultVolunteers.htm http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/YDTraining Day, T., Matysik, G., and Zeldin, S., 2000. Program and Activity Assessment Tool. University of Wisconsin Extension. Eccles, J. and Gootman, J., eds, (2002) Community Programs to Promote Positive Youth Development, Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Helping Leaders Be 4-H Savvy. 2004. University of Illinois Extension. www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/4hfacts/pyd00.html The Prevention Researcher, Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2004. www.TPRonline.org. www.TPRonline.org Wagoner, S., McClaughin, P. (2004) Staking a Positive Youth Development Claim..One State’s Approach. Presentation at NAE4-HA, Oklahoma City, OK.