Improve communication skills/financial situations & pratical living skills through STEM activities
Strengthening Life Skills for Youth and Families
Huffman, Cline
4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
4-H Volunteer Programming
Securing Financial Stability (general)
How we live life is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to practice healthy habits, select clothing to emphasize one’s best appearance, create and live within a budget, prepare nutritious meals safely, nurture children, create a safe and pleasant home environment, practice common courtesies, and form relationships with others—all of these skills are basic to everyday life. Many schools no longer include family and consumer sciences classes in the curriculum. Reality is that today’s youth and adults are busier than ever. Many of these basic life skills are not consistently taught to youth at home or at school.
As with any other Kentucky 4-H Core Curriculum area, when it comes to development of life skills and communication skills a strong case can be made for the need to go beyond mere transfer of knowledge to giving youth the opportunity for a variety of supportive, related learning experiences to significantly increase the program’s influence.
4-H often offers basic learning activities on a topic of interest to youth but the addition of activities which support that interest (such as fair exhibits,related subject matter workshops or day camps, field trips, and decision-making judging contests) significantly increase the development of life skills in youth. In a study by Olson, Croymans and Ji (2014), 4-Hers reported that participating in 1 or 2 educational opportunities influenced the development of critical thinking and decision making skills, and participating in 6 to 8 opportunities significantly increased the program’s influence by adding development of life skills in leadership, planning/organization, wise use of resources, useful/marketable skills and accepting differences. 4-H is also helping youth to develop skills in science, engineering and technology to make them more marketable in the workforce.
While many communication and life skills can be learned through self-directed projects or school enrichment, it’s beneficial for youth to have the added experience and guidance of a trusted adult and the opportunity to form relationships with caring mentors. For many adults, long-term volunteering is not always possible but shorter-term volunteer roles create doable opportunities for more people to tuck volunteering into busy schedules. Special interest clubs and groups that meet for a few weeks or months broaden the possibilities. The volunteer efforts of multiple adults may be required to take the 4-H experience from club meetings alone to also include exhibits, field trips and more.
- Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Youth Programs.
- Youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.
- Gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
- Contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.
- Individuals will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily life.
- Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter
- Individuals report improved family financial stability and economic well-being.
- Youth and families will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations
- Youth and families will project a positive image and self-confidence
- Families and youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making
- Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future
- Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
- Youth will use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations in the community
- Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.
- Youth and families will use and apply the skills gained from Extension Programs in their daily lives
- Apply practical living skills to advance education or employability
- Youth and families will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences, SET and Communications through projects and programs
- Youth and adults will identify short, medium and long term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability.
- Youth and young adults will simulate life situations to recognize importance of education and employability skills.
- Youth and adults will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources.
- Youth and families will learn to read and follow instructions
- Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their communications project.
- Youth will increase interest and engagement in SET as well as learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
- Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology, family & consumer sciences, agriculture and communications
Outcome:
- Students will be prepared for the workforce by being
comfortable in speaking in an interview and when giving a
presentation.- Families and youth will start a savings plan. Parents
will increase involvement in activities with their children.- Youth will also improve their understanding of basic science and will be
more marketable in the workplace in areas of science, engineering
and technology.Indicator:
- Number of individuals reporting decrease in debt and increase in
savings.- Number of youth completing speeches, demonstrations
and planned activities.Method:
- Pre-test and post-test, survey/evaluation, demonstrations, verbal
feedback and testimonials.Timeline: July 2019- June 2020
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H SET
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology
Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Rocketry Projects
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Rocketry
Inputs: 4-H Leaders
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Demonstration
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Books
Inputs: 4-H CouncilDate: Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Talk Meet Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Books
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: January 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Community Club Presentations
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Leaders
Date: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Reality Store Curriculum
Input: Hart County School System; Local Businesses
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Dollars & Sense
Content or Curriculum: Dollars & Sense Curriculum
Inputs: Hart County School System
Date: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Character Counts
Content or Curriculum: Character Counts Curriculum
Inputs: Hart County School System
Date: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Afterschool Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Books
Inputs: 4-H Leaders
Date: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Market Premium Show
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Animal Science Kit Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council; Local Businesses
Date: Summer & Fall 2019; Spring 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council; Local Businesses
Date: Spring and Summer 2019
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Training
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Animal Science Kit Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council; Local Businesses
Date: Spring 2020Audience: Grandparents
Project or Activity: Grandparent Support Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Grandparents and Grandchildren Together
Inputs: Family Resource Centers
Date: July 2019 – June 2020Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Smart About Money: Living on a Budget
Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life
Inputs: Community Action
Date: Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Author: Laura Huffman
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In 2020 families have experienced a time like no other. When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced families into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Hart County 4-H Program began designing and creating 4-H Grab n Go Kits for youth to have a hands on learning experience while at home. The goal of the Hart County 4-H Grab n Go Kits were to maintain way
Author: Laura Huffman
Major Program: 4-H College and Career Readiness (8-12 Grade Only)
The Hart County Extension Office and the Hart County Chamber of Commerce collaborated with the Hart County School System to offer a Work Readiness Day for all high school juniors to better prepare students for the workforce. The goal of the Work Readiness Day was to create an awareness about career opportunities within the county and show students what is require to help them succeed in the workplace. 171 High School Juniors started the day by touring two of the local manufacturing compani