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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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4-H Youth Development Creates Opportunities for Youth to Experience:
Independence Belonging Generosity Mastery
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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
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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
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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)
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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.