The basic idea
The 4-H program teaches youth and adults life skills. Life skills involves the use of knowledge and experience to meet everyday needs in a variety of situations.
When an individual learns specific information or techniques for completing a task, that learning maybe only useful in that situation. When he or she has discovered the basic principles, techniques and attitudes that will apply to other situations, that person has learned a life skill.
For Example
Jimmy learns to apply nitrogen in the right amount to produce big cabbages in a garden project, thus he has learned a skill. On the other hand, when he understands that living things need to take in specific levels of nutrients to thrive and he knows how to find this information, he has learned a life skill.
Leadership living skills also develop more with every year of 4-H involvement. Leadership life skills include understanding self, getting along with others, communicating, learning to learn, managing, making decisions and working with groups.
Adapted from the Emmett County "Welcome to 4-H: New Family Guide" prepared by Lisa Berkland, 1995
Return to 4-H Club page