|
Dear
Leader:
A wise teacher once observed, "If a child
isn't interested, you can't teach him. If he is interested, you can't keep
him from learning." Most 4-H leaders don't think of themselves as
teachers, but they are. Through volunteer leaders,
4-H members learn skills in their projects and
other individual and group experiences that help develop such lifelong
characteristics as positive self-esteem, sound decision-making, effective
communication, responsibility, and cooperation. 4-H leaders can be
especially successful teachers because they establish a personal
relationship.
The Child-centered
Approach
4-H uses a child-centered approach to learning.
This means the program focuses on the needs and interests of the child. For
example, when 4-H club members select their projects, they are more likely
to choose projects that are of interest to them. They also set individual
goals and make plans to reach those goals based on what they want to
accomplish in the project. You, as the 4-H leader, play an important role
for your members. It's through your guidance, understanding, encouragement,
and recognition that they will learn how to set a goal and reach it. You
can help each member set realistic goals. You can provide needed encouragement
when the going is rough. Best of all, you see the proud smile that says
"I did it" when you recognize them for a job well done.
Hundreds of Ways to Say
"Very Good"
People thrive in a climate of love, so give 4-H
members plenty of praise, warmth and signs of caring. They need smiles and
approval. Look for good behavior that you want to strengthen, then say
"very good." Did you know that there are at least 100 ways to say
"very good?" Here are some suggestions:
· Now that's what I call a fine job!
· FANTASTIC!
· I knew you could do it.
· Keep it up!
· GREAT!
· Keep working on it, you're getting better.
· Good for you!
· WOW!
· You are very good at that!
· Nice going!
· GREAT JOB!
Helping People Learn
As a leader, you build on the natural curiosity
that young people have. Since learning takes place through experience, your
role is to provide opportunities for hands-on learning. Together, you and
your 4-H members will have fun learning. Each age group has unique
characteristics and different developmental needs. Development level will
have an impact on how each member learns. It is important for leaders to
keep these differences in mind when working with various age groups. Of
course, not all children develop at the same rate, but being aware of the
general characteristics of youth at various stages will help you be more
effective. You may want to pick up Ages and Stages of 4-H Youth Development LG782
(PDF) that briefly points out the levels of development children pass
through and considerations for 4-H leaders.
Leadership Styles and
How They Affect Your Club
The atmosphere during your club's meetings and
activities will be greatly influenced by your leadership style. There are
several different leadership styles, and no one style is the right one in
all situations. Each style can be effective depending upon the
circumstances. A good leader will use different leadership styles when
appropriate. Autocratic style
When using the autocratic style of leadership
the leader tends to make decisions for the club without the members'
involvement or input. The leader has complete authority and responsibility
for the club. This style can be good during the beginning of a new club or
with a club of young members who aren't ready to make all the decisions. It
can be very efficient. Things will get done, but it can be boring, and it
isn't an effective way for members to learn decision-making or
independence.
Laissez-faire Style
In the laissez-faire leadership style, the
leader provides little guidance for the group and gives the members
complete freedom and responsibility. Good as well as bad decisions, plans
and programs are permitted to develop. Members can learn a lot from their
decisions, but it can be difficult for the group to reach a consensus.
Strong clubs may get stronger under this type of leadership; weak clubs may
fall apart.
Democratic Style
Using the democratic leadership style, the
leader encourages all the members to participate in planning and helps
members develop the skills necessary to make decisions. This style is
generally the most effective. It encourages interaction and helps the
members learn self-confidence, leadership and decision-making.
Techniques of a Good
Leader
A good leader has many techniques that help
establish group rapport. These techniques can facilitate the group's
activities and learning; others can hinder it. Your goal as a new leader is
to develop techniques like those listed under the facilitating category
below that will help your club members grow in self-confidence and learn
leadership skills and independence. You can also check if any of the
behaviors listed under the not-so-facilitating category are having a
negative effect in your club.
Facilitating
Techniques
· Guides group through an experience
· Uses different leadership styles when appropriate
· Keeps action going
· Is flexible
· Encourages participation by all
· Is a good listener
· Cares
Not-so-facilitating
Behaviors
· Takes over leadership and directs others
· Makes decisions for the group
· Ignores suggestions
· Creates a tense environment
· Fails to prepare
· Evades issues
· Gives solutions rather than letting group members come to their own
· Is concerned with results more than people
Teaching Methods and
Tools
4-H encourages a learn-by-doing approach to
teaching. The greatest degree of learning occurs in actual experience. The
closer to real life a learning activity or experience is, the more
effective it will be. Sometimes, though, it isn't practical to learn from
the actual experience. In that case, you want your members to have as
meaningful an experience as possible. There are a variety of methods that
can be used to teach your members. This variety will help keep the members
interested and enthused about the activities. Each method will also have an
effect on how well they learn. The level of involvement is important in how
much is learned. Activities that are more like real life experiences and
that involve members in listening, seeing and doing usually bring about the
most learning. Thus, when possible, use simulations, games, demonstrations
or models. Try to avoid telling or asking members to read as primary
teaching models.
What to Do about Kids
Who Misbehave
Sometimes kids will misbehave. An important
distinction to make is that the young person is okay, the behavior is not.
There are usually reasons why kids misbehave. With patience, a perceptive
leader may discover the reasons behind the behavior problem and help solve
it.
Some Reasons Why Kids
Misbehave
They
want attention. If they disrupt a meeting,
they get not only your attention but attention from other members as well.
Try giving the disruptive members some responsibilities during the meeting.
This way, they get needed attention in a positive manner.
They
are uncomfortable in the situation. If members
feel uncomfortable, it may be because they don't know what is expected of
them or how to participate in the group's activity. By misbehaving, the
members don't have to figure out what is expected. A few quiet words to
explain what to do will probably solve the problem. If that doesn't work, a
quiet talk while others are occupied might clear the air.
They
are afraid of failure. Fear of failure can
also make members feel uncomfortable. It may be less embarrassing to be
called a troublemaker than to be called a failure. Try to promote a team
spirit in the group where no one ridicules a person who goofs. Also, be
sure that everyone knows how to perform his or her role or assignment.
They
don't like or aren't interested in what the group is doing. There could be several reasons for this. The activity or project
may be too easy or too difficult. You may need to make changes in the
activity so that it is better suited to your members' abilities. If the
activity is suited to the members and your programs were planned by group
decision, then you may need to sit down with the disruptive member and
explain that, while this may not be the most interesting activity for him
or her, the group decided to do it, and it is important to be a team
player. You can also make sure that this member has some responsibilities
during the activity to make it more relevant. There can be many other
reasons why kids misbehave. You, as the leader, need to try to identify the
possible reasons and experiment with various approaches that will deal with
the root causes of the behavior problem.
Evaluating Your
Meetings and Activities
An important aspect of leadership is evaluating
your activity or meeting afterwards. Reflecting on the good and bad points
will help you in planning future events. If the meeting or activity went
well, you should look at why it was good. Was it well-planned? Were all
necessary supplies available? Did everyone participate? Did everyone appear
to understand and to learn? Being able to answer yes to these questions and
understanding why will aid in planning future activities.
If the activity or meeting went poorly, you will
need to examine why. As much as possible, let the group be responsible for
the outcome of their activities. Help them evaluate any problems. Was there
a breakdown in planning or implementation? Did everyone participate? If
not, why? If only one or two members seemed dissatisfied, you may need to
address the issue with them individually. If the whole club seemed
unenthused, you may also want to talk with other leaders or your youth
specialist for ideas and inspiration.
Have
fun, learn along with your club!
Character Counts
Missouri 4-H
recognizes the importance of good character in everything that is done. 4-H
staff and volunteers, as well as 4-H members and their families, know that
a person of character:
· is a good person, someone to look up to and admire
· knows the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do
what is right
· sets a good example
· makes the world a better place
· lives according to the Six Pillars of Character —
Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
Adapted from Dodd, M.A., Hoglum, L., and
Robinson, M. (1998). Letters to New 4-H Leaders. Oregon
State University
Cooperative Extension Service, Corvallis,
Ore.
|
