Are youth growing and engaged?
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Just because youth are happy or successful does not necessarily mean they are growing in ways that support long-term wellbeing. Sparks—self-identified passions that bring joy, energy and purpose—play an essential role in helping young people develop a positive sense of direction. So how do we know if a young person is truly engaged and growing? Understanding their sparks gives us important insight.
Every youth (and adult) can have a spark. The spark is a personal interest, talent or passion that brings excitement and contentment. Michigan 4-H has exposed youth to a variety of project areas, activities and other opportunities that might help ignite that spark. Today, 4-H reaches diverse youth across rural and urban communities and continues to deepen its use of spark-focused language and practices.
According to youth development researcher Peter Benson, sparks have the following characteristics:
- It gives energy and joy.
- They help us feel alive and useful.
- It causes us to lose our sense of time.
- The spark originates from inside the person. It is not imposed from the outside.
- The spark can be a skill, talent or interest.
- It can be a prime source of meaning and purpose in our lives.
When these characteristics are present for a youth, they can give them direction, especially when navigating adolescence. The old saying, “it takes village to raise a child” has never been more relevant. It takes nurturing, understanding and compassion to help a youth identity and ignite their spark. This growth happens when adults build supportive relationships and provide opportunities for exploration.
Through the Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Michigan 4-H, Michigan State University Extension staff and volunteers are working to help youth identify their spark and become Beyond Ready. There are several developmental indicators that show youth are building the skills and mindsets needed to be Beyond Ready for the next step in their life. These include:
- Fostering character (moral principles, ethical qualities).
- Supporting responsibility (self-discipline, personal accountability).
- Fostering purpose (direction, motivation, sense of meaning).
- Promoting caring and kindness (concern, compassion, generosity, consideration).
- Promoting goal setting and management (persistence, critical thinking, problem-solving).
- Encouraging a growth mindset (originality, creativity, curiosity).
Adults often do not realize the effect they have on the youth around them. If you are working with youth in any setting, even youth in your own home, look for these indicators in those youth. As you see them, encourage and help those youth grow and learn more about themselves and their spark. These indicators can also serve as guidance for supporting youth who may be struggling. Focusing on one area at a time can help them build confidence and direction.
The next time you are around youth, reflect on what you observe. Ask yourself, “are these youth engaged and growing?” Whether the answer is yes or no, think about how you can help the youth where they are in the thriving process. It might mean helping them discover a spark or encouraging a spark they already have. Wherever they are, you can be part of the village that helps guide their growth.
Learn more about the 4-H Beyond Ready Framework. For more information about joining 4-H, visit the Michigan 4-H website. For additional helpful volunteer training content, check out the MSU Extension Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series webpage.
MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. To find out how to get involved as a youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office.
