Volume 5, Issue 2

Positive Youth Development

Beginning with Volume 3 Issue 4 of The Cloverpatch, we have featured a series of nine articles related to the topic of positive youth development. This issue deals with the seventh of the eight critical elements.

PYD Critical Elements – – An opportunity for active participation in the future.

The 4-H Cloverbud group can provide a wonderful opportunity for young people to have an active participation in the future. The premise is that youth should be offered new experiences and opportunities to enjoy life. They learn and grow from successes and failures. 4-H Cloverbud volunteers can help to instill hope and optimism in members to shape their life choices.

The following are a few tips to consider in providing your 4-H Cloverbud members an opportunity for active participation in the future:

Give 4-H Cloverbuds choices in upcoming group activities.

The Ohio 4-H Cloverbud curriculum offers eight different subject categories. Each of these categories is divided into three or more topics suitable for meetings. Volunteers may select the subject matter areas and then give 4-H Cloverbud members choices of topics within that area.

4-H Cloverbud members might set goals for the group or individually for things that they would like to do or learn related to a specific topic. Members could record their comments on their 4-H Cloverbud Story Sheets.

Using meeting topics as your guide, explore a variety of future career options that relate to the activities conducted.

Invite parents of 4-H Cloverbud members to come to group meetings and make a short presentation on their work or career. Encourage the parents to make their presentation as interactive as possible, bringing tools, clothing, or other items that they use in their work. Have them discuss skills needed to be successful in their work and relate those to 4-H activities that the 4-H Cloverbuds have completed.

4-H Cloverbud volunteers might consider using the WOW! Wild Over Work curriculum as a theme for a series of group meetings. This curriculum is geared for grades K-6 but also helps members learn about career opportunities in their own community. The curriculum is available from your local Extension office.

Give 4-H Cloverbud members an opportunity to discuss and role-play situations in their group meetings.

Volunteers can help build on the idea that what one does today often determines what happens tomorrow. 4-H Cloverbud volunteers might ask the following questions:

• How might what I learned today in this meeting help me next week or next month?
• How might this activity help me at home?
• How might this activity help me in school?
• How might I build on this activity for a later time? (future 4-H project, possible job or career in the future).

Many of the curriculum lessons include opportunities for role-playing. As you plan 4-H Cloverbud meetings, be sure to select at least one activity where the members can “act out” or “reflect” on an idea or concept.

Written by Sheri Seibold, Extension Specialist – 4-H Youth Development, University of Illinois Extension

Include Older Adults as 4-H Cloverbud Volunteers

Older adults are living longer and spending more time in retirement. They are also more healthy and active then in previous years. If you have not already, consider recruiting older adults in your community to participate in some 4-H Cloverbud activities.

Benefits to 4-H Cloverbuds

Interactions with seniors provide children with positive images of aging and help to reduce any existing fears of older people. (You might want to use the Walk in My Shoes aging sensitivity kits from your local Extension office with your members before you invite seniors to your meetings.)

Seniors can take the time to listen, share stories and do projects with children who are craving attention. They can also help teach new skills and help develop self-confidence in their new partners. In addition, by establishing a connection with an older friend, a child who has no grandparent close by can enjoy a “pseudo” grandparent.

Benefits to Seniors

Working with children helps seniors feel productive and provides a sense of purpose. In addition, involvement in 4-H provides opportunities to see new things, learn new projects, and try new activities.

Volunteering may provide a much needed connection to the community. Seniors can view the world again through children’s eyes.

Adapted from The Ohio State Cloverbud Connection, Spring 2001 Issue – Article by Christine Price, OSU Gerontology State Extension Specialist.