Iowa 4-H Youth Development and 4-H Robotics
What are we doing here?
Training you to teach—
In a way that kids can learn!
To Be Successful You Need To Know:
About 4-H
About Kids
The Subject
How to teach
4-H 101
What makes 4-H so effective in helping youth grow and develop?
Iowa 4-H Mission
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults
It’s about Positive Youth Development
Positive Youth Development
Positive youth development helps young people become competent, caring, capable, confident, connected and contributing through a
series of progressive learning experiences with caring adults
4-H is a community of
young people
across America who are
learning leadership, citizenship and
life skills.
The 4-H Pledge"I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service,
and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my
world."The pledge tells what 4-H is all about. 4-H has as its goal the four-fold development of
youth: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The pledge was adopted by the delegates to the 1927 National 4-H Club Camp in Washington, DC. State club leaders voted for and
adopted the pledge for universal use. The phrase "and my world" was added in 1973. The saying of the pledge has prominent place in 4-H activities at regular 4-H meetings,
achievement days, and other club events.
Positive Youth Development =Meeting the Needs of Youth
Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity
What are these 4 basic needs of Youth?
Belonging—Finding that you have things in common with others and you are accepted and made to feel part of the group
Mastery — Encouraged to try new experiences and find out what things you are good at
What are these 4 basic needs of Youth?Independence—
Giving youth a choice in what they will do and a voice in where the group is headed
Generosity— When youth belong, feel that they have skills they have accomplished and are given choices, youth will choose to share with others of their knowledge time and skills
We need to provide them with a chance to give back
What are the Essential Elements of a great 4-H Experience?
A Caring AdultA Safe EnvironmentOpportunity to develop MasteryOpportunities to help others “Service”Opportunities to make decisions or Self Determination
An Inclusive environment
Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future
Opportunities to be Engaged in Learning
Let’s Put it All Together
A Caring Adult
Supporter Friend Advocate
Set boundaries and expectations and they identify each child’s strengths
Advisor Guide Mentor
Supports all youth development needs
As a 4-H Leader your most important job is to be your Members Caring Adult.
A Safe Environment
Youth learn and participate more fully when they feel physically and
emotionally safe. A structured yet flexible environment
encourages honesty, trust, and respect.
Supports need for Belonging
As a 4-H Robotics volunteer when should you be structured and when flexible?
An Inclusive Environment
Encourages and supports its members
Where youth receive positive and specific feedback from leaders, other parents and other youth.
Where leader takes time to celebrate successes of all members Supports sense of belonging
Opportunities for Mastery Learning
Delaney Ettleman, Harrison County 4-H Robotics Club
Member
“ The more we practice the better we get. Last week we accomplished just two missions, today it was five missions. I feel so good.”
Opportunities to Engage in Learning
Developing connections with what they learn and experience in life
Self-reflection
Learn from Experience and Reflection
Helps to meet needs of
Mastery and Independence
Opportunities to Be Generous or Servicing Others
Helps youth feel they a part of something larger than themselves.Can give them immediate success and the good feelings helping others gives.Helps youth learn new skills or use their talents wisely.Helps them connect with others positively
Helps to support the need for generosity
Opportunities for Self-Determination
Youth and leaders are making decisions so youth know they have an impact. Youth feel a personal sense of influence over their lifeYouth become self-directing and independentWhat would this look like at your 4-H Robotics club meetings or camps? Supports need for independence
What is the most important single element in helping young people become caring, contributing, and competent ?
A Caring Adult- You!
Youth and Adult PartnershipsWhat does this mean?
– Youth can choose which activities they wish to participate and how they want to participate- unless unsafe.
– Youth meet regularly to discuss and modify existing programs with leaders.
– Youth meet regularly to plan future programs or activities.
– Youth evaluate programs they plan or participate in.– Youth can share and communicate the program to
outsiders: they know what the program needs, why, and the how’s.
What is not a Youth/Adult partnership
The leader and adults in the program decide what activities the youth will do.
The leader and adults decide what resources they need and find them themselves.
The leader and adults tell others what the kids are learning, because the kids don't know.
The leaders and adults decide and organize the community service projects.
How will I know I am doing a good job?
Kids are attending the meetings/field trips etc.
Kids are the focus
There’s a good mix of consistency and flexibility
The group works hard and plays hard
Kids are empowered and are making decisions
Kids are listened to and genuinely valued
Balance between chaos and rigidity
All members successes are celebrated
Newcomers are welcomed by existing members
Service is practiced
Let’s take a quick Break!
We will come back and get into how we better understand the youth we work with and how to
help you learn
WELCOME BACK!!
Ages & Stages of Youth Development
How do young people change as they grow?
How do these changes affect you as a 4-H leader, instructor, or volunteer and the programs you plan for your club/members?
4-H age groups are in different places with…
Physical Growth
Growth in Thinking
Social Growth
Emotional Growth
Different Ages – Different Stages
What are they like? Juniors (9-11 years)
Intermediates (12-14 years)
Seniors (15-18 years)
Interest SpanVaried & many times quite short
Lengthens with experience Almost adult like and self-motivated
Motor Skills
High Interest, Poor Coordination
Interested in skills for specific use, may tackle difficult jobs
Highly skilled
Mental Ability
Peak of interest, Limited Experience
Increased depth and scope Continued increase related to experience. Can see relationship
Ability to PlanLimited ability due to limited experience & judgement
Can plan better than execute Have need and ability to plan
Relating to PeersBoys-Boys, Girls-Girls Interest in opposite sex &
interest in group acceptanceHigh
Experiential Learning is…
“LEARNING BY DOING”
Let’s get into Rocket Science!
Extraordinary Learning Experiences
Experiential Learning Cycle- Hands-on learning with reflection
Aware of what stage of development youth are in, so we know what they can learn.
We are always concerned about creating a safe environment.
Experiential Learning Cycle
Experiential Educaiton
Experience the activity and do it Share reactions and observations publicly Process by analyzing and reflecting upon what
happened Generalize to discover what was learned and
connected to life Apply what was learned to similar or different
situations
Experiential Learning Cycle
Tips for using the Experiential Learning Model
Plan for time to reflect on the experience.Ask the right questions. Prepare ahead of
time as you are thinking through the learning activity.
Listen carefully to the youth.Support each young person’s unique
learning style.
Why the Experiential Learning Model
How Young People Learn
Read 20%
Hear 20%
See 30%
Hear & See 50%
Say 70%
Do 90%
So what did we learn today?