Ages & Stages of Youth Development
All children are not alike. As a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent or friend you’ve probably learned this by now. As a 4-H Volunteer you are responsible for making learning experiences appropriate for youth in your club, but how do you know what activities will work with the ages in your club?`
Young Children
(grades K―3)
Physical
- Growth is slow
- Lack muscle coordination
Emotional
- Self-centered
- Need approval from adults
- Can’t accept losing
Intellectual
- More interested in process than product
- Have concrete thoughts
Social
- Learning to make friends
- Fighting occurs but is soon forgotten
How to make 4-H activities appropriate for this age group:
- Choose activities that involve the senses.
- Ask them to try sharing materials or supplies.
- Don’t plan activities with winners vs. losers.
- Give verbal instructions with a demonstration.
School Age Children
(grades 4―8)
Physical
- Very active
- Growth spurt at start of adolescence
Emotional
- Test values
- Have weak sense of identity
Intellectual
- Beginning to think logically
- Intensely explore areas of interest
Social
- Joining clubs or groups is very important
- Complete projects not for themselves but to please adults
- Enjoy doing activities away from home
How to make 4-H activities appropriate for this age group:
- Emphasize success.
- Use failures as learning experiences.
- Do not plan long meetings or activities unless there are breaks or opportunities for movement.
- Introduce new ideas by relating to previous experiences.
High School Age Youth
(grades 9―12)
Physical
- Males developing muscles
- Females developing some body fat
Emotional
- Searching for independence
- Take pride in responsibility
Intellectual
- Mastering abstract thinking
- Exploring and preparing for future roles and careers
Social
- Acceptance by opposite sex important
- Employment and school fill social needs that used to be filled by club.
How to make 4-H activities appropriate for this age group:
- Give plenty of opportunities for self-determination.
- Allow youth to suggest and plan service projects.
- Encourage goal-setting.
What Key People are Saying
Trust young people, tolerate some conduct that is recognized as part of their development. Help members develop judgement and decision-making ability. Help them see and understand what is important in life. — Dr. Fred Bruny et al., The Green Pages: 4-H Advisors’ Handbook, 1996
Research on K―2 indicates the best way to build confidence is to build many opportunities in the curriculum that emphasize success. — Dr. Dale Safrit & Garry Gibbons, Supporting Youth in Grades K―2, 1995
Project work often helps youth take off in creative directions as they move up each year. — Maria Stallard, Cuyahoga County 4-H Advisor and Interview Judge, 1998
If you want teens to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. — Abigail Van Buren (“Dear Abby”)
Keying In
Now that you’re an expert — Select TRUE or FALSE for each of the following:
Key Resources
- Cox, Kathryn, Ages and Stages of Youth Development (1999)
Extension Fact Sheet 4-H-015-99, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH - Cox, Kathryn & Culp III, Kenneth, Involving Teens as Leaders (1999)
Extension Fact Sheet 4-H-021-99, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio - Summers, Roxann, 4-H Cloverbuds (1999)
Extension Fact Sheet 4-H-010-99, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio - The Green Pages: 4-H Advisors’ Handbook (1996)
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, pp. 13―15 - Safrit, Cale, and Gibbons, Gary, Supporting Youth in Grades K―2 (1995)
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Teaching Outlines
We hope you found this material helpful. If you did and would like to use it as the topic of a training session with other youth leaders (time - Approx. 1 hour), select the topic(s) of interest to you below, fill in your E-mail Address and click “Send!”send this page to us at the address below:
4-H Keys for Leaders
2490 Lee Boulevard, Suite 108
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
We will contact you with more information about our Teaching Outlines.
