CURRICULUM TASK FORCE
CENTER FOR 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

PARENTS AND KIDS
LEARNING TOGETHER IN 4-H


"Excitement is caught, not taught," is true in many places: including 4-H! As your children participate in the largest out of school program in the nation, you will want to make the most of this experience for both you and your child. Here are two ways that you can help your family and your children have a positive, healthy, learning experience in 4-H.




Support your children as 4-H members.


Help your children by being their guide, advisor, teacher, counselor and helping hand as they work on their 4-H projects.

Spend time together.
Use day-to-day activities as occasions for learning.
Ask questions.
Read your children’s 4-H material.
Help your children identify useful, practical, project related interests.
Help your children plan their project related activities.
Help your children identify ways their project work can be shared with your community.

Help them learn about making choices and decisions and understanding their capabilities and potential.

Help your children choose learning experiences appropriate to their abilities.
Provide opportunities for your children to try new skills, to rehearse possible actions,
to remember and think about new information in a safe setting.
Help with problem solving.
Help your children think about and say out loud what has been learned.
Hear the feelings which accompany their ideas.
Remember that your children’s abilities, skills, and needs will change as they
grow up; your response/involvement must change too.

Don’t expect your children to go it alone, but don’t do their 4-H projects for them either. They will need you to share your wisdom, understanding and life experiences with them. Your children will gain confidence and a feeling of security when they know that their parent approves of their 4-H projects and the club’s undertakings.

Enjoy learning together.
Work together side by side but encourage your children to do it.
Step back, watch, provide support, let your children do it alone if possible.
Provide abundant encouragement.
Recognize all accomplishments.

Encourage them to seek the counsel of other adults as their skill and knowledge are needed. In 4-H, we want to help youth build connections with other adults in their communities.




Support your local 4-H club.



Your local 4-H club is made up of children, parents and families from across your community. You need to help support the work of these other families as they work to support yours.

Attend meetings with your children as frequently as you can.

Attend club and county-wide events.
Provide transportation when needed.
Attend training workshops when offered.

Be aware of what the club is currently doing.

Read the 4-H mail which comes to your home.
Promote 4-H among your friends.
Visit with the club’s leaders.

Reinforce the learnings and workings of the club with your children at home. 4-H Club experiences are great places that youth practice group discussion and decision making, community service, getting along with others, etc.

Ask questions for information and understanding.
Support your children in developing leadership roles.
Be a good listener.
Smile!

Lend your support and skills to the club. Active parents make an exciting 4-H club experience for the members. But remember, this club belongs to the children!

Share good ideas for programs.
Be a friend to another 4-H parent.
Be a good example for the members.
Offer encouragement to the club leaders.
Let the 4-H members make the decisions.
Share your skills and knowledge by volunteering to be a project leader.
Offer to assist the club leaders with some task.
Care about a 4-H member other than your own child.

Remember that whenever you have questions, contact your local 4-H leaders. They will be very willing to help you find the answers. Also, the Minnesota Extension Service office in your county has many resources for you as a parent, volunteer, or family.




4-H - More Than You Ever Imagined!

10/96 Primary Author: Jim Deidrick, Extension Educator

The University of Minnesota, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.