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)

I just kind of realized that not everyone is probably familiar with the National Association for the Education of Young Children or its position on developmentally appropriate practices. the NAEYC is the most recognized organization that deals with early childhood education and Clover Kids fits that bill! Anything between birth through 8 years old counts!

So, I thought I'd include a link here. This is a long read (22 pages!) but there are very good parts to help you educate the Clover Kids leaders and other stake holders on the importance of using developmentally appropriate practices in ANY program for children in grades K-3!

Here it is:
http://www.naeyc.org/about/positions/pdf/PSDAP98.PDF

Posted by Joan at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The longer we work with youth, the greater the potential impact we can have on their positive development. Clover Kids leaders have a unique opportunity to help children grow and develop after they leave the program by helping them transition to the Club program.

Clover Kids leaders often want to help members prepare for the club experience by adding Club experiences to their program. However, research indicates that isn’t the best way to prepare youth for the next step in 4-H. Doing Club activities – even “watered down” club activities isn’t appropriate for the Clover Kids experience because the children do not have the background skills to be successful in those tasks. The best way to prepare Clover Kids for the Club program is to provide a hands-on cooperative program based on the developmental needs of the children. This allows children to build the foundational skills and background experiences they can “draw on” later.

What that means:

In the Club program, youth need to follow parliamentary procedure, work on committees, and follow along during the meeting.
Skills needed to work in a group setting are best learned through the cooperative activities in the Clover Kids program. Providing Clover Kids with cooperative small group activities allows them to practice those skills in a safe setting. Those experiences lay the foundation for working on committees, being part of a team and even parliamentary procedure.

In the Club program, youth need communication skills.
The best way to help Clover Kids develop the communication skills that will help them feel success in the Club program is to provide them lots of concrete hands on activities and opportunities to share what they are experiencing. Children develop a good communication skills when the language they are using are based on concrete experiences.

In the Club program, youth need to do record keeping.
The best way to prepare Clover Kids for record keeping is to provide verbal opportunities for them to describe the concrete experiences they are involved in.

Providing a developmentally appropriate program by following the National Guidelines in the best way to ensure that Clover Kids have the skills to feel successful in the Club program.

Continue reading "Transitioning means being developmentally appropriate" »

Posted by Joan at 08:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)