Section IV: Understanding Youth and Their Needs 417 Leader Training Series R UTGERS C OOPERATIVE EXTENSION NEW J ERSEYAGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION N e w Jersey 4-H One of the major life-skills that are developed through the 4-H Program is “Developing A Positive Self-Concept.” As a 4-H Volunteer, you have many opportunities to make a positive impact on each 4-H member’s self concept. Every important adult in a child’s life influences his/her belief in his/her own value to others and to him/herself. This includes parents, teachers, 4-H leaders, grandparents, older brothers and sisters, youth leaders and religious leaders. What is a positive self-concept? It is a growing belief about yourself that helps you to cope successfully with the events in your life, and then to make a positive impact on the lives ofothers. As a 4-H youth leader, your attitude of non-judgmental, acceptance toward each child is essential. This helps each mem- ber feel accepted as the person he/she is, rather than for behavior, clothes or skills. One way to do this is to show genuine apprecia- tion for each individual. If you aren’t genuine, a child will know it right away. Feedback Feedback Feedback Feedback Feedback—Genuine appreciation is also positive feedback. Although we would like to be able to only give positive feedback, part of being an adult role model for youth includes making corrections. You are probably asking, “How can I make correc- tions constructively?” Since each child is unique and already has a self-concept in the process of development, you cannot guarantee how a child will accept correction. Experts recommend that all feedbackinclude at least 75 percent positive comments as you make a correction to keep things in balance. A division of 50/50 positive comments to criticism doesn’t work. Your 4-H members may feel unworthy unless you use the 75/25 balance. De De De De Developing a veloping a veloping a veloping a veloping a P Positive ositive ositive ositive ositive Self-Concept Self-Concept Self-Concept Self-Concept Self-Concept Written by: Rose Mary Bergmann, County 4-H Agent, Morris Countyand Sylvia Ridlin, Extension Spe- cialist in Human Development, 1990, Revised 2000Ho Ho Ho Ho How Do I Help 4-H w Do I Help 4-H w Do I Help 4-H w Do I Help 4-H w Do I Help 4-H Member Member Member Member Members De s De s De s De s D evelop a velop a velop a velop a velop a P P P Positive Self-Concept? ositive Self-Concept? ositive Self-Concept? ositive Self-Concept? ositive Self-Concept?
