.The 4-H Cloverbud Program is a special part of Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program. Tailored to the developmental needs of Kindergarten-2nd graders, it provides an exciting introduction to the 4-H club experience. Cloverbud leaders play a critical role in fostering the development of the youngest 4-H’ers as individuals and as 4-H members. When they move into the next phase of the 4-H Club Program they will be ready to take on the challenges of greater self-governance and longer-term project work. 4-H club opportunities will grow with them throughout their elementary and high school years. Many 4-H alumni become 4-H leaders as adults - once a 4-H’er, always a 4-H’er.
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THE PURPOSE OF THE 4-H CLOVERBUD PROGRAM
The overall purpose of the 4-H Cloverbud Program is to foster the development of life skill (described below) that are essential for the cognitive, social emotional, and physical maturation of five to eight year old children. Specifically, this program aims to provide participants with opportunities to:
1. Develop self understanding, social skills, decision-making skills, learning skills and physical skill;
2. Gain knowledge in the sciences, literature and the arts through the more experiential (hands-on) learning process;
3. Develop positive attitudes about learning;
4 Develop on-going relationships with caring adults and older youth who serve as positive role models;
5. Explore family and community relationships;
6. Develop understanding of and appreciation for social and cultural diversity.
Cloverbuds in the 4-H Club Program:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When is a child old enough to join a 4-H club?
The New York State Cloverbud Policy specifies that a child must turn five by January 1st of the current 4-H year and must have been enrolled in Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year to be eligible to participate in the 4-H as a cloverbud member. Children continue to participate as cloverbuds through 3rd grade.
Can a five to eight year old join any 4-H club?
Ideally cloverbuds participate in separate groups with all members in the cloverbud age range. If this is not possible, they may join a club with a wide range of ages. However, cloverbuds should only participate in those activities that are appropriate for their developmental level with adult supervision in the required adult/youth ratio. Talk with Extension 4-H staff and check out the NYS Cloverbud Handbook for more information.
HOW ARE CLOVERBUD CLUBS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER 4-H CLUBS?
1. Cloverbud clubs do not conduct formal business meetings or elect officers. Cloverbuds are not yet ready to fulfill the responsibilities of club officer-ship and require much more adult guidance when making group decisions. However, a structured routine is important to this age group. Starting each meeting with the same opening ritual, roll call and pledges to the American and 4-H flags, provide structure while introducing the children to some of the elements of a business meeting. Use of a closing ritual is also recommended. This prepares cloverbuds for future roles as club officers when they become old enough to assume such roles.
2. The educational component of a cloverbud club meeting consists of activities rather than projects. A cloverbud activity focuses on developing a single concept and/or skill. For example, the children might plant a simple garden dish and learn that it will need sun, water and food to stay healthy. An activity such as this would be just one in a series of learning experiences for older children enrolled in an indoor gardening project.
3. Cloverbud clubs do not conduct nor participate in competitive events. Cloverbuds are sensitive to criticism and do not accept failure well. They cannot easily separate the “doer” from the thing that is done- so, failure in an activity is translated into personal unworthiness. Their development is uneven making it nearly impossible to “level the playing field,” a necessity if competition is to be fair. For these reasons participation in competitive activities is developmentally inappropriate for cloverbuds. Even evaluation that does not compare one child’s work to another but simply defines a level of achievement (excellent, good or worthy) is ill advised. Cloverbud activities should be conducted in a positive that focuses on a members strength rather than analyzing their deficiencies. Cloverbuds need opportunities to practice skills, discover talents and learn about fairness in a non-judgmental environment. Their work should be proudly displayed and their participation recognized. Recognition should be informal with all members being recognized equally.
4. Cloverbud Clubs follows a set of program guidelines based on developmental appropriateness. While cloverbud activities relate to the same set of programs area, as do projects for older members, they are designed to suit the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of children within this age group. That often involves using different kinds of equipment on providing more adult supervision. (See Safety Guidelines for Working with Cloverbud available in the 4-H Office.) Sometimes a cloverbud will be physically capable doing something but will not be able to understand the reason for the process or the result. Participation in that activity would be just as inappropriate as participation in an activity that is unsafe because of physical limitations.
Date Last
Updated:
10/06/06