1. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Working with Youth

2. Thought for the day “If a child isn’t interested, you can’t teach them; if the child is interested, you can’t keep them from learning” ~Anonymous wise teacher

3. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION What this really means… If they aren’t interested- YOU’VE got work to do!

4. Objectives  Gain an awareness of developmental stages of youth  Acquire strategies for use in teaching in a developmentally appropriate manner  Develop an ability to adjust curricular activities to address developmental needs  Gain an understanding that development is not always uniform and programming should pay particular attention to that  Learn the essential elements of 4-H

5. Full potential Not WHAT we teach, But HOW we teach it! Not WHAT they learn, But HOW they learn it!

6. This we know…. –Development is not uniform, so expect to see some variation in youth –There is no skipping –Children should progress along the continuum in our program Taken from: Developmentally Appropriate Programming for School-Age Children by Carole L. Eller and Maureen T. Mulroy

7. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Let’s see where we’re at Pre-test

8. Development Primary (5-7 years) Junior (8-11) Intermediate (12-14) Senior (15+) Physical Social Emotional Cognitive Domains Stages

9. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Developmentally Appropriate = Age appropriate + Individually appropriate

10. Primaries Slow, steady physical growth little fine muscle coordination needs a lot of movement Interested in outside world lots of best friends all adults are parents

11. Primaries… Like playing school like to practice over and over sorting activities Acts out feelings outbursts, then calm can’t identify emotions

12. Junior Muscles begin to mature, using adult tools, puberty may begin Joins groups, likes field trips, same- sex peer group

13. Junior Beginning to think logically, can problem solve, “black and white” Need to feel accepted, uses name calling as anger/hurt response

14. Intermediate More adult-like activities, enjoy creating, puberty Effected by peer pressure, likes co- ed groups, no longer dependent on family

15. Intermediate Likes to research, reject adult solutions, almost ready to think abstractly Self-conscious, mood swings, wants independence yet craves dependence

16. Senior Concerned with body image, fully developed Dating, want adult roles, want to be recognized as an individual

17. Senior Able to function at higher level, becoming community conscious, increasing self-knowledge Developing individual identity, feelings of inadequacy and inferiority are evident

18. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Use the chart of developmental characteristics of youth. Give at least 3 examples of appropriate activities for your assigned stage. Explain why those activities are well suited for that stage.

19. Now, let’s apply to our work Choose one current club activity Review the activity for each of the developmental stages Modify the activity so that it includes age appropriate activities for each stage

20. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Four Basic Needs of Youth ---to be accepted as they are ---to experience success ---to solve problems ---to contribute Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

21. Pizza Activity What ingredients are included in a Positive youth program?

22. Eight critical pieces… Belonging -Positive relationship with caring adult -Safe environment -Inclusive environment Mastery -Engagement in Learning -Opportunity for Mastery Independence -Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant of the future -Opportunity for self- determination Generosity -Opportunity to value and practice service to others

23. What does it look like? Caring Adult Inclusive Environment Safe Environment Engagement Mastery Futuristic viewpoint Self-determination Service/Generosity