um college park um eastern shore 1 part iv the maryland 4-h youth development program university of...

UM College Park • UM Eastern ShoreUM College Park • UM Eastern Shore 1

Part IV The Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, gender, disability,

religion, age, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.

UME Volunteer Policy

UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore

Maryland 4-H MissionHelp all youth reach their full potentialTeach useful life skillsCommunity focused, research basedCreate competent, caring and responsible

individuals

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Maryland 4-H Vision• Recognized leader in youth development• Address present and emerging issues• Employ proactive approaches• Experiential and age-appropriate

curriculum• Collaboration and networking• Diverse Audiences, programs and methods

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Maryland 4-H Teaches Life Skills• Decision Making• Acquiring Knowledge• Personal Responsibility• Creative Thinking• Communicating• Understanding Self• Getting Along With Others

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Taking the University to Youth in Communities4-H Youth Development is the only youth program

with direct access to technological advances in agriculture and life sciences, home economics, human development, and related areas, which result from land-grant university research.

The foundation of 4-H Youth Development is in the practical application of the land-grant university knowledge by youth in their communities.

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Focus on CommunitySociety loses out when youth fall

through the cracks in institutions that

could prepare them for a productive

future. Community counts – for better

or worse – in response to these

institutional gaps and unmet needs for

support, care and opportunities for

healthy development of our young

people.

Milbrey McLaughlin, Stanford University, Community Counts

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Social Forces have changed Community LifeInformal community support for young people has

weakened….. High rates of family mobilityGreater anonymity in neighborhoodsExtensive media exposure to themes of

violence and heavy use of drugs & alcoholDeterioration and disorganization of

neighborhoods and schools

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PositiveDevelopmen

tPrimary

PreventionHigh RiskTreatment

Addressing youth problems is critical…

But, problem free is not fully prepared

Youth Development: A Paradigm

Shift


What is Youth Development?

Youth Development is the acquisition

of attitudes, competencies, values, and

social skills that will carry youth forward

into successful adulthood.

- National Research Council


Essential Elements of a Youth Development ApproachThe Youth Development Approach considers the

whole young person, not just a single characteristic or problem.

Youth Development is dependent on family and community development as it occurs in the context of the family, community and society.

Youth Development is designed to focus on the positive outcomes we desire for young people, not the negative outcomes we hope to prevent.


What is the Essence of 4-H Youth Development?• To engage young people in the work of the

Land-Grant University and USDA

• To teach knowledge and life skills which enhance quality of life

• To create opportunities which promote positive youth development


Features of Positive Youth DevelopmentPhysical and psychological safetyAppropriate structure Supportive relationshipsOpportunities to belongPositive social normsSupport for efficacy and matteringOpportunities for skill buildingIntegration of family, school, and community efforts


Assets that Facilitate Positive Youth Development

Psychological & Emotional Development

• Good mental health

• Good coping skills

• Good conflict resolution skills

• Strong moral character

• And more

Physical Development

• Good health habits

• Good health risk management skills

Intellectual Development

• Knowledge of essential life skills• Knowledge of essential vocational

skills• School success• Good decision-making skills• And more

Social Development

• Connectedness• Sense of social place / integration• Attachment to prosocial

institutions• Ability to navigate in multiple

cultural contexts• Commitment to civic engagement


The 8 Essential Elements of Youth Development1. A positive relationship with a caring adult2. A safe environment3. An inclusive environment 4. Engagement in learning5. Opportunity for Mastery6. Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant

in the future7. Opportunity for self-determination8. Opportunity to value and practice service for others


4-H Youth Development Creates Opportunities for Youth to Experience:

Independence Belonging Generosity Mastery


Eight Essential Elements Broken Down into Four ConceptsBelonging• Positive Relationship with a

caring adult• An inclusive environment• A safe environment

Mastery• Engagement in

Learning• Opportunity for Mastery

Independence• Opportunity to see oneself as an

active participant in the future• Opportunity for self-

determination

Generosity• Opportunity to value

and practice service for others


If Youth Needs are met in Positive Ways: Youth develop characteristics most of us relate to character…

Belonging

Mastery Power Generosity

Attached Loving Friendly Intimate Social Cooperative Trusting

Achieving Successful Creative Problem-solver Motivated Persistent Competent

Autonomous Confident Assertive Responsible Inner Control Self-Disciplined Leadership

Altruistic Caring Sharing Loyal Empathic Pro-social Supportive


Characteristics of Volunteers serving as Youth Development Practitionersmade it clear they saw the potential in the young

people they encountered;

made the young person, not the activity, their priority;

conveyed a sense of power and purpose for themselves and for the young people around them;

were described as authentic—real, not phony, with a genuine interest and concern for young people;

McLaughlin, Irby, & Langman (1994)

UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore 19

Questions?

This presentation was originally created Dr. Lisa Dennis, 4-H Youth and Adult Leadership Specialist, and revised by Amy Rhodes, Sharon

Pahlman, and David Gordon 2010.

um college park um eastern shore 1 part iv the maryland 4-h youth development program university of...

Documents

youth development approach

community development

prepared youth development

youth program

youth problems

human development

healthy development

community counts