Youth ages 5-7 aren’t quite ready to participate in many of the 4-H project areas and activities that older children can, but there’s still plenty for them to do in 4-H, starting with fun!

cloverbudsThink you’re too young to be in 4-H?

Our youngest 4-H’ers aren’t quite ready to participate in many of the project areas and/or activities that older children can, but there’s still plenty for them to do in 4-H, starting with fun!

The emphasis is on participation, learning and teamwork, not competition. They might learn about nutrition while helping to prepare simple snacks, plant seeds and learn what to do to help them grow, or help with animal grooming and feeding (with supervision).

Cloverbuds also provide opportunities for older youth to mentor and help a younger 4-H’er be successful, and start laying the groundwork for their future “career” as a 4-H member.

With Cloverbuds, safety comes first, and all of the activities are developmentally appropriate for this age group.

MSU Extension utilizes 4-H Cloverbud Camps as a developmentally appropriate experience that targets youth ages 5-7 years old. The following fact sheets are designed to help MSU Extension staff and volunteers, as well as other youth development professionals, plan a safe and positive experience for 5-7 year olds.

*Individuals not associated MSU Extension/4-H, please be sure to consult the policies and procedures related to programming with 5-7 year olds within your organization.

RESOURCES

4-H Cloverbuds and Service

4-H’s mission is to empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. One goal to achieve that mission is to connect in-school learning with out-of-school-time opportunities that enhance learning. That’s precisely the focus of Heads In, Hearts In: A Delivery Approach to Family Enrichment 4-H Programming. These resources encourage youth and families to use their minds (putting their “heads in”) as a tool to expand their knowledge around variety of topic areas. By creating a shared educational experience, youth and their families will work, grow and learn together, putting their “hearts in” to the process.

  • Heads In, Hearts In: Early Childhood Activities

    The Heads In, Hearts In family enrichment program encourages families to use their minds as a tool to expand their knowledge around a variety of topic areas. This packet contains all 15 early childhood activities.

  • Heads In, Hearts In: Engineering Activities

    The Heads In, Hearts In family enrichment program encourages families to use their minds as a tool to expand their knowledge around a variety of topic areas. This packet contains all 16 engineering activities.

  • Heads In, Hearts In: Family Engagement Activities

    The Heads In, Hearts In family enrichment program encourages families to use their minds as a tool to expand their knowledge around a variety of topics. By creating a shared educational experience, the family unit will work, grow and learn together.

  • Heads In, Hearts In: Healthy Living Activities

    The Heads In, Hearts In family enrichment program encourages families to use their minds as a tool to expand their knowledge around a variety of topic areas. This packet contains all 15 healthy living activities.

  • Heads In, Hearts In: Literacy Activities

    The Heads In, Hearts In family enrichment program encourages families to use their minds (putting their “heads in”) as a tool to expand their knowledge around literacy. This packet contains all 16 literacy activities.

Connect with 4-H in your county!

Contact:

For more information on how to get your youth involved or to become a volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Michelle Neff

4-H Supervision Educator - Club Development
hydemich@msu.edu
989-539-7805