Youth Need a Safe Emotional and Physical Environment

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

April 7, 2010

Youth Need a Safe Emotional and Physical Environment

The likelihood of engaging youth in activities or organizations is very slim when they are uncomfortable with their surroundings.

Members of 4-H or other youth organizations should not fear physical or emotional harm from a learning environment or adults and other participants.

Adult volunteers also may be reluctant to participate in programs in which they are not equipped to handle certain situations or emergencies.

A safe emotional and physical environment is one of eight elements a team of evaluators from the National 4-H Impact Design Implementation Team determined are essential for youth development.

Youth groups should not permit bullying, cliques or put-downs. Adults should incorporate safety into all meetings, camps, events and trips.

Ensuring a safe environment can take many forms:

* Screen adult leaders and volunteers before they begin working with youth groups.

* Continually train adult leaders and volunteers in safety and child protection.

* Consider conducting background checks to qualify adult volunteers to serve in specific roles.

* Evaluate physical space to guarantee it is safe.

* Train adults and other leaders in risk management and how to be consistent in dealing with misbehavior.

Youth also can play a role in helping identify safe locations. Youth are aware of which areas in their community may be unsafe and which programs and settings are the most appealing to their peers. Another step to providing a safe emotional and physical environment is to survey youth about the ways to make improvements. Youth and adult volunteers deserve to have a safe and secure place to reach desirable developmental outcomes.

“It is important to actively engage youth in planning, implementing and evaluating programs,” says Linda Hauge, North Dakota State University Extension Service 4-H youth development specialist

Encourage Engagement in Learning

A majority of young people gain learning experiences through school or work.

However, many young people lack the exposure to additional opportunities that can help them master skills they need to be competitive in today’s world. Developing competencies through educational experiences that prepare youth socially, physically and academically is vital.

Engagement in learning is one of eight elements a team of evaluators from the National 4-H Impact Design Implementation Team determined are essential for youth development.

Engagement means the focus is on learning as a way to improve rather than proving you are the best or better than someone else.

Someone who is engaged in learning is mindful of a subject area and builds relationships to develop greater understanding. Self-reflection gives youth the ability to self-correct and learn from experiences. Youth who are fully engaged in learning have high levels of self-motivation and an unlimited capacity for creativity. This is evident in programs that stress art and athletics.

Engaging youth to the point where they are passionate about learning can be hard. But when they are members of a youth organization engaged in learning, such as 4-H, they work together, plan activities, and enjoy being together and being involved. They also become leaders of the group by choice.

Here are some ways to support engaged learning:

* Provide opportunities where youth can be intellectually stimulated and challenged.

* Help youth design projects that make a difference to others.

* Create experiences with youth that relate to real-life situations.

* Provide youth with opportunities to experience what they have learned by performing these practical skills competently, such as public speaking, serving as a youth representative on a camp planning committee, judging a 4-H event or serving on a local community board or task force. These should include  a consistent evaluation method to assess what is being learned.

* Have youth help with the planning, implementation and evaluation stages of an activity.

“Taking measures to make youth feel vested in a program can serve as a helpful technique," says Rachelle Vettern, North Dakota State University Extension Service leadership/volunteer development specialist.

Youth should engage in all levels of a program to better understand its purpose and benefit from their experiences.

Schedule

Wednesday, April 7 – Williston

Thursday, April 8 – Burke County

Friday, April 9 – Burke County

Monday, April 12 – Burke County

Tuesday, April 13 – Divide County