Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Life Skill Development
Life Skill Development
Regina Browning, Sheila Fawbush
Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H Youth Development Programming
Shelby County 4-H is committed to growing outstanding youth with marketable skills to success in today's global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnerships with caring adults. Volunteers, 4-H agents and assistants offer educational programming that allows youth to develop important life skills that they can carry with them into adulthood.
When it comes to the development of life 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 offers basic learning activities on a topics of interest to the youth, but the addition of activities that support that interest (such as fair exhibits, related subject matter workshops or day camps, fields trips, and decision making judging contests) significantly increase the development of life skills in youth.
Research consistently shows a correlation between involvement in the arts, academic success and civic engagement. Unfortunately, there has been a sharp decrease over the years in Arts programs in our schools. Kentucky 4-H Youth Development has an opportunity to fill this void and inspire future artists across the Commonwealth.
Youth will learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering and technology issues in Kentucky and globally.Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) by providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs.
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. 4-H family and consumer sciences projects equip youth with these skills
• Youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.
• Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
• Youth contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.
•? Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
•Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community.
•Youth become more comfortable sharing their thoughts with others.
•Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Programs
•Youth 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.
•Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.
•Youth will project a positive image and self-confidence
•Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making
•Youth will practice healthy eating choices
•Youth will make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results
•Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future
•Youth will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations
•Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.
•Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.
•Youth will practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.
•Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology programs.
•Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.
•Youth present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event.
•Youth demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
•Youth use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations.
•Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing.
•Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs
•Youth will understand the decision-making process
•Youth gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action
•Youth learn to read and follow instructions
•Youth will increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.
•Youth learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
•Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology.
•Teens participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.
•Youth research a presentation topic prior to developing a speech or demonstration.
•Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration. Youth create a formal presentation, speech or outline using the written outline.
•Youth be prepared to present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting) and a school or county qualifying event.
•Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts.
Initial Outcome:Knowledge and skill gained in area of interest through 4-H project work or educational opportunity
Indicator: Number of youth completing projects, participating in educational events or 4-H Contest
Method: fair entries, observation, evaluations
Timeline: conclusion of project year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth demonstrate effective use of new skills and apply to everyday situations
Indicator: Number of youth making good choices, adopting new habits, sharing skills with others, mentoring younger members and assuming leadership roles
Method: observation, evaluations, leadership roles filled, self and parental reporting
Timeline: second or more years of 4-H involvement
Long-term Outcome: Youth become competent, caring contributing adults that are gainfully employed.
Indicator: Former 4-Hers that are gainfully employed , contributing to their community and lead safe and productive home life
Method: observation and followup with former members and their families.
Timeline:
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Spring Project Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: volunteers, supplies, curriculum
Date: Spring Break 2018
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Shelby County Communication Event
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Curriculum,
Date: April/May 2018
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham Speeches
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers
Date: August 2018
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing and Fashion Revue
Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, sewing machine, patterns
Date: January-April 2018
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Individual and Independent 4-H Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum
Date: year round
Audience: 4-Hers and Families
Project or Activity: Extension Field Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and Marketing materials
Inputs: club members, volunteers, displays
Date: November 2017
Audience: High School Youth and Parents
Project or Activity: Paying for College Class
Content or Curriculum: KHEAA materials, Moneywise,
Inputs: KHEAA representative, handouts
Date: December 2017
Audience:Middle School youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store curriculum
Inputs: volunteers, curriculum
Date: April/May 2018
Audience: East Middle 4-H Club
Project or Activity: SET Activities
Content or Curriculum: SET Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum, project supplies
Date: every 6 weeks during school year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: National 4-H Science Day Experiment
Content or Curriculum: Science Day Materials, SET
Inputs: National Science Day kits
Date: October 2017
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Culinary Class
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Curriculum, cooking supplies, volunteers
Date: July 2017
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Program
Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports guidelines
Inputs: certified coaches, range, club equipment
Date: March-September 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: volunteers, supplies
Date: June/July 2018
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Food-A-Rama
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health and FCS Curriculum
Inputs: volunteers, prizes
Date: July 2017
Audience: Camp Adult and Teen Volunteers
Project or Activity: Bullying Prevention Education
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum
Date:May/June 2018
Author: Regina Browning
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
A 2014 study conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that adults felt communication skills were the most important life skill for children to get in order to be successful in adulthood. Participation in 4-H events is one way that youth can gain these skills. The 4-H Country Ham Project has successfully enticed hundreds of youth into giving speeches through the process of curing country hams. Using a fun hands-on project to tie into the speech provides incentive for 4-hers to get invol
