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Information
Positive Youth Development An Opportunity to Achieve Mastery
and Competence
Written by: Sheri Seibold, Extension Specialist – 4-H Youth
Development; University of Illinois Extension – State 4-H
Office
The third of the eight critical elements of positive youth development
is the opportunity to achieve mastery and competence. Youth experience
success by completing activities appropriate for their stage of
development and preferred style of learning. Youth set goals and
celebrate accomplishments.
The following are a few suggestions for parents on how to provide
opportunities to achieve mastery and competence for their child.
4-H Cloverbuds can feel a sense of accomplishment through their
4-H Cloverbud activities.
Parents can work with their 4-H Cloverbud members to set and
achieve both individual and group goals. The 4-H Cloverbud Story
Sheets Level 1, 2 and 3 are one method way to help 4-H Cloverbuds
begin to learn to set goals. The story sheets provide a mechanism
for structured time for reflection and feedback on their 4-H Cloverbud
activities.
Parents can set high expectations for youth and encourage them
to do well. The 4-H Cloverbud program provides opportunities, encouragement,
and recognition to encourage youth to reach their potential. Youth
should be given consistent messages about how to participate and
succeed. Expectations should be based on what is developmentally
appropriate and consistent with the ages and needs of youth.
Parents should make sure their child knows they are proud of
their talents and abilities and expect the child to continue working
to use them. Regular, positive feedback for 4-H Cloverbud age children
is very important.
4-H Cloverbud activities provide opportunities for young people
to practice the life skills of self-understanding, social interaction
skills, decision-making skills, learning to learn, and physical
skills. Continued practice of these skills at home and in 4-H will
lead to mastery/competence in later years.
By utilizing the experiential model in 4-H Cloverbud group meetings,
parents and leaders can allow time to the members to reflect on
their successes and failures as well as develop a sense of pride
and accountability for their accomplishments. Parents can help
4-H Cloverbud members achieve mastery and competence by discussing
the following questions:
- What did you learn from this 4-H Cloverbud experience?
- Explain what you accomplished or learned. What are you proud
of?
- What was the hardest for you to do or your biggest challenge?
- What would you do differently next time you did this activity?
- With whom will you share your new skills or knowledge?
- What else would you like to learn about this topic or activity?
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