Extension
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4-H Youth Development - Developing Oral and Written Communication Skills
4-H Youth Development Education
Prim, Farley, Agnew, Neltner, Butsch, New
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Communications
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communication & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006) Research also shows a positive association between arts participation and a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement. (Child Trends, 2012) Kentucky 4-H provides communication and expressive arts by engaging youth in hands-on educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster a love for the arts. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of public speaking, visual arts, and performing arts.
Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H Communications Programs.
Youth will utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
Youth will construct a speech or demonstration that has a clear introduction, body, and closing.
Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing, and presenting a speech or demonstration.
Initial Outcome: Youth will create a formal presentation, speech, or outline.
Youth will 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.
Indicator: Youth will participate in communications event.
Method: registration
Timeline: October 2023-April 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will make a presentation before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event.
Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
Indicator: Youth will participate in a communications event.
Method: Judges' score sheets
Timeline: Feb 2023-April 2024
Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H Communications Programs.
Youth will utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
Indicator: Observation
Method: client/teacher/parent observation and testimonial
Timeline: July 2023-June 2024
Audience: Enrolled 4-H members, 4-H school club members
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Building Bridges, Reaching People Through Communication National 4-H Curriculum, Prepare your Speech Booklet
Inputs: paid staff, district board funds, facilities
Date: Sept 2023-March 2024
Audience: 4-H members, 4-H school club members
Project or Activity: 4-H Speech and Demonstration Event
Content or Curriculum: prepare your speech booklets, state speech and demonstration score sheets
Inputs: paid staff, district board funds, facilities, volunteers
Date: Feb-March 2024
Audience: Enrolled 4-H members, 4-H school club members
Project or Activity: 4-H record book completion
Content or Curriculum: 4-H project books
Inputs: paid staff, district board funds, facilities, volunteers
Date: Aug 2023-Sept 2024
Audience: 4-H Horse and Livestock Club members
Project or Activity: horse and livestock judging contests
Content or Curriculum: Livestock volunteer certification materials, video, CDs, farm visits
Inputs: paid staff, district board funds, facilities, volunteers
Date: Jan-June 2024
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: livestock volunteer certification materials, videos, CDs
Inputs: paid staff, district board funds, facilities, volunteers, ham house
Date: Jan-Sept 2024
Audience: 4-H teens
Project or Activity: 4-H Achievement program
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum
Inputs: paid staff, volunteers, high school students, 4-H council funds
Date: Dec 2023-March 2024
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
The 4-H Achievement Program gives youth experiences in goal setting, record keeping, planning and organizing, completing tasks and working with others. Points are accumulated through leadership activities, civic engagement, communications/marketing, community action and overall 4-H participation. In the process youth learn important life skills such as written and oral communication skills when filling out forms and applications, building a resume, keeping records and participating
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: Communications
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communication skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader. Using age-appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading, and personal communication capacities. This
