• List essential elements of positive youth development



• Understand the developmental need of youth



• Understand how 4-H helps meet the needs of youth

The goal of all 4-H programming is the growth and development of young people.  Before anyone can implement 4-H programming they need to understand the youth development field in which 4-H operates.

Youth Development has been defined as an ongoing process through which young people attempt to meet their needs and to develop the competencies they perceive as necessary for survival and transition to adulthood.

Positive Youth Development is development that is positive and productive for both youth and their communities.

Youth Development refers to the development of the whole person and is not focused on a single attribute, skill, or characteristic, but rather the mastery of competencies needed for happy and productive adulthood.  Positive youth development occurs from an intentional process that promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, choices, relationships, and the support necessary for youth to fully participate.

Youth development is the work of youth.  Adults cannot do this work for them.  But caring, knowledgeable and skilled adults can contribute to the success of young people as they grow and develop.  Adults do this by providing environments for youth that are safe and nurturing and by expanding opportunities for experiences that will help young people develop skills they need for adulthood.  Youth development professionals guide the community in providing these experiences.

In recent years, non-formal, out-of-school programs for youth have been recognized as key avenues for delivering these environments and opportunities.  Universities and youth focused organizations have identified the research and knowledge base that supports effective programming for youth development as well as the effective principles and practices in delivering these programs.  Course work leading toward a graduate degree in youth development is now available from several universities and university consortiums across the United States resulting in recognition of the need for preparation for participation in the filed and providing support for professional staff development throughout the career cycle.  A vocabulary to advocate for the work is in place.

So what is 4-H Youth Development?  4-H Youth Development is the non-formal, educational program for youth of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  It has gained national reputation for its work with youth throughout the past century.  4-H is unique in the non-formal youth development field because it is a part of the land grant university system and has access to the most current knowledge and research provided by those universities related to youth development.  In addition, 4-H staff and Cooperative Extension Offices are located in every county in the U.S. and are connected through as extensive electronic network that assures access to the most current developments from the field.  The blending of research and field knowledge provided noteworthy support for the 4-H Youth Development Professional.

Youth Development had been defined as an ongoing process through which young people attempt to meet their needs and to develop the competencies they perceive as necessary for survival and transition to adulthood.

Effective youth development programs

• Consider the whole young person, not just a single characteristic or problem
• Depend on family and community development as it occurs in the context of the family, community and society.
• Focus on the positive outcomes we desire for young people, not the negative outcomes we hope to prevent.

Too often 4-H professional and volunteers struggle with how to intentionally implement a youth development approach, and thus meet the needs of young people in a positive way. The essential elements of youth development are intended to be used as a guide in this process. Young people need:

Belonging

• Positive Relationship with a caring adult
• An inclusive environment
• A safe Environment

Mastery

• Engagement in Learning
• Opportunity of Mastery

Independence

• Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future
• Opportunity for self-determination

Generosity

• Opportunity to value and practice service for others

4-H educator and volunteers need the right tool to provide opportunities in which young people can experience the essential elements.  Specific tips web-based resources for implementing programs that include each of these 4 essential elements can be found on the resource pages associated with them.  The following web-based resources relate to the general essential elements framework.

For questions or concerns, contact nakatsuk@hawaii.edu