How you can be a sparks champion for youth
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EmailSparks champions can make a difference to send a youth on the path to thriving.
The 4-H Thriving Model is a theory of change that shows us what it means for youth to thrive and how we can help youth find their path to thriving. Providing high-quality 4-H programs can contribute to positive youth development (PYD) through the intentional promotion of social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral habits. This model gives us seven indicators of thriving which include: growth mindset, openness to challenge and discovery, hopeful purpose, prosocial orientation, transcendent awareness, positive emotions and goal setting and management.
Promoting these indicators through 4-H is important to help youth find that path of thriving. It is important as an adult interacting with youth through 4-H that you get to know those youth and really understand what truly makes them happy and brings them internal joy. One way to encourage this is to ask open-ended questions such as, “What do you love learning about?” or “What is something that makes you happy?” Be an active listener when you do ask these questions and allow youth to give their answer rather than telling them what you think makes them happy.
Challenging youth in supportive and helpful ways is teaching them that they can learn and grow through the effort they give. This gives them a growth mindset where they believe they can get better and be successful by working hard. Having a growth mindset can help youth be more open to challenges and allows them to discover in ways they may not have thought about.
Learning to manage emotions effectively is something we all need to learn to do and practice. Emotions can be quite strong in many situations and giving youth a way to express those emotions in a positive way will help them in many ways along life’s path. Positive emotionality through 4-H clubs and programs can appear as providing assurance to youth that their feelings matter and are valid. It helps to set clear expectations so that youth understand how to express their emotions appropriately. This will take practice for many youth and 4-H should provide that safe space to practice.
Setting goals is important to help youth on a path to thriving. Encourage youth to set goals, starting with modest and achievable goals that can gradually become more difficult as they succeed. Youth should be allowed to set their own goals with the guidance of volunteers. This allows them to have ownership of their own achievements and success will be that much sweeter. Goal-setting can help lead youth to a hopeful purpose where they can see themselves in the future. This can be the beginning of youth really figuring out their own identity.
Transcendent awareness is about understanding that reality is bigger than us. This awareness can be expressed in a variety of ways, but thriving youth will become committed to their personal beliefs, morals and actions. This could take the form of being committed to a cause that the 4-H club could support by volunteering their time for others. This also helps youth form a prosocial orientation where they recognize, support and encourage kindness and empathy.
One of the most important parts of being a sparks champion is modeling all these things through your own life. Share your own passions and let youth see how those things bring you joy. Let them see that it is normal and healthy to have multiple sparks, and that changing interests and overcoming challenges will be a part of the process.
As a volunteer or parent involved in 4-H programming, being consistent, curious and supportive will help youth feel valued and encouraged to pursue their sparks. As a spark champion, you are lighting the path for youth and creating a positive environment where they can grow into who they truly are.
Michigan State University Extension encourages you to learn more about the 4-H Thriving Model at https://helping-youth-thrive.extension.org/ .
For additional helpful volunteer training content, check out the MSU Extension Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series webpage.
Michigan State University 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.
