Iowa 4-H Clover Kid's Connection

The National Guidelines for K-3 youth groups recommends a ratio of 1 adult to every 6 children in Clover Kids. This adult-child ratio is important to providing the best possible program for the children involved. I know meeting that ratio is very challenging - but here are a few reasons to consider trying:

1. Opportunities for individual attention - and interactions/bonding within the group are increased. Children experience A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH A CARING ADULT.

2. Supervision/safety is increased. Children in grades K-3 are still learning to associate choices and consequences. They might not think through the results of their actions, so increasing supervision is important to provide a SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

3. Adults can provide the framework to actively include everyone in the process regardless of their individual skill levels. The 1 to 6 adult - child ratio provides the framework needed for an INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT.

4. Children are more likely to get and stay ENGAGED IN LEARNING when there is an interested adult involved in the process. That can be difficult when the ratio exceeds 6 children to every adult.

5. The OPPORTUNITIES to experience MASTERY, BELONGING, GENEROSITY, and INDEPENDENCE are increased when adults are involved to encourage, engage, and educate children.

6. Adults can create opportunities for children to evaluate their experiences, experience service to others, and build on successes for future learning.

WHAT STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR YOU IN WORKING TOWARD THE 1:6 RATIO?

Posted by Joan at 08:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did I get your attention?

Anyone who has worked with a group that had a child with ADHD in it knows what I'm talking about when I say "surviving" ADHD. It can be a very challenging experience and sometimes you just hope you can survive! Of course we in 4-H want to do more than just survive - we want to help children thrive! Here are a few ideas to help that happen:

I have a few ideas and a few resources to share:
1. Give the child something to do with their hands. I've had great success with a balloon filled with rice or sand. Just use a funnel to fill it and tie it shut. When a child has to sit and listen for an extended period of time, give them the balloon - making sure they know they can keep it as long as they just hold it. Don't be surprised if the rest of the group wants one - in that case - I just tell them they can make one later. (And make sure they get that opportunity.)

2. Keep directions short and simple. Get them DOING right away. I use picture directions whenever possible and I also plan long activities in short steps with stations set up for each section of the activity.

3. Don't add to the energy in the room. Plan quiet activities in between games, use a quiet voice, etc.

4. Keep communication open with the child's family. They will have strategies they use at home and that are used at school to share with you!

5. Remember to use good discipline and group management techniques - choices!

Check out the advice on this site:

http://www.adhd-made-simple.com/ADHD_Children.html

What strategies have you used?

Posted by Joan at 08:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What does your county do for new clover kids leader training? Do you use the toolkit? It seems like most counties have one or two start at at time, so having a big workshop doesn't fit the situation.

I suggest starting with the toolkit and the Ohio curriculum. Those 2 combined can be used to explain the program and how children learn by doing hands on activities. It also can be used to explain and practice experiential learning. New Leaders could also visit an existing program or have Extension staff help start the club - get it rolling for a few sessions and then back out when the leader is ready.

But what else do you use? What can I do to help you with your new leader training efforts?

Posted by Joan at 09:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Questions are the best group management and discipline tool! After a child makes a poor choice - asking a question keeps children in the process of problem solving the situation. By asking them questions, children learn how to fix the problem!

The delivery of the questions is critical - calm and empathetic - we feel bad that they have made a poor decision and we want to help them figure out how to fix it.

Here are a few samples:

First - we let the child know we see the problem - but without judgment on our part - Then, we ask the question. That lets children know we are interested and we believe they can do it!

I noticed you drew all over the table. I wonder how you are going to fix that?
I see you two are having a disagreement. What are you going to do now?
I notice that you seem angry about _______. What can you do now?

After they come up with ideas - we help them evaluate their options - "What will happen then?" That keeps the child thinking about the relationship between his/her choices and the consequences associated with them.

These are just a few samples - the point is to let them know you are there, give them the power to solve the problem!, and help them evaluate those ideas! It gets them thinking about the situation and lets them connect their choices with the consequences. It also is a HUGE self-esteem builder and teaches children that mistakes are a part of life and when we make them - we fix them!

Posted by Joan at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Children's Day is a great opportunity to advertise the wonderful merits of the Clover Kids program. Here are a few quick ideas you can do during the fair to create interest/spread the word.

1. Using the motors from Funtivities, do spin art. Just index cards into about 2 inch squares. Poke a pin through the center. Gently, poke the point of the motor through the hole. Attach the alligator clips and use markers to decorate the square while it is spinning! Glue that to a piece of construction paper - add a label that says "Clover Kids Electrifyling Art, ___County Fair (with a clover of course!). Attach a small magnet piece in the back and you have a great refrigerator magnet as a constant reminder about the program!

2. Set up stations using your county council as leaders - let the children experience a different CK theme at each station - one might be string painting, one might be taking apart fabric or weaving felt placemats, etc. Let children come and experience sample activities while the leaders talk about Clover Kids.

3. Have people handing out Clover Kids fliers during the different shows - the kiddie tractor pull - etc. Use those activities to your advantage - have a booth right there!

What activities do you do in your county?

Posted by Joan at 09:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What are ways you involve parents in your Clover Kids program? The more parents are involved, the better the experience is for the children! Parents are a valuable resource we need to tap! Sometimes I think we think parents have to be at the meetings to be involved in the program - but that's not entirely accurate! We need to help them get involved with their child's Clover Kids experience in whatever capacity they can! Here are a few ideas - let us know what you do!

1. Have a volunteer survey for parents to fill out when they enroll their children. On the survey, you can list areas that parents can help the group - like gathering materials, contacting other families for special events or meeting changes, donating snacks, helping with meetings, suggesting ideas for meetings, presenting activities and more!

2. Send home a note after each meeting so they can get involved with their children at home. There is a template for a meeting card on the CK website. You can use that to let parents know what you did at the meeting. Give them sample open ended questions they can use to talk with their children. That helps with the whole experiential learning process and helps the children build language!

3. Delegate! Put parents in charge of different aspects of the program -

Remember to have parents complete the child protection process if they are working directly with the children. The Extension Office can let you know who has to have the screening done!

Posted by Joan at 08:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)