thankyouforagreeingtoserveasavolunteerforthe4-h.docVIP

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a volunteer for the 4-H Primary Member Program. You will find this age member full of excitement and curiosity. Primary members are impressionable and respond to exciting and creative activities. This is a critical stage in the development of the young child and an excellent time to enhance a child’s learning experiences in self-perception. Researchers estimate that children experience half of their learning before four years of age, another 30 percent before the age of eight, and only 20 percent during the remaining years of their education. Therefore, it is important to offer non-formal, exploratory programs focusing on the developmental needs of younger children. As a primary member volunteer leader you will foster the healthy development of young children and help them to become self-directed, contributing members of society. WHO ARE 4-H PRIMARY MEMBERS? Primary members are youth, between the ages of five and eight, enrolled in the 4-H program. Primary members must be at least five years old or in kindergarten and not older than 8 years or in the 3rd grade by January 1 of the program year. Home-schooled children enroll based on their chronological age as of January 1. WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE 4-H PRIMARY MEMBER PROGRAM? The purpose of the 4-H Primary Member Program is to assist youth in becoming competent, caring, and contributing citizens. Participating 4-H primary age youth will: Develop competencies in life skills in the areas of self-understanding, social interaction, decision-making, learning to learn, and mastering physical skills. Gain knowledge and skills in sciences, literature, and the arts through the experiential learning process. Develop positive attitudes about learning. Develop ongoing relationships with caring adults and older youth who serve as positive role models. Explore family and community relationships. Develop understanding of and appreciation for social and cultural diversit