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Valley County

Positive Youth Development

Published: 2020
By Roubie Younkin
Valley County MSU Extension engages and supports youth and families through opportunities to achieve optimal physical, social and emotional well-being. Valley County youth create positive change in issues that affect most young people today: nutrition, childhood obesity, drug awareness, bullying, decision making and stress management. • Life skills are the focus of the 4-H mission, including health, which is one component of the 4-H pledge. Through 4-H educational experiences, youth learn to make smart, healthy decisions for themselves, increase leadership skills and contribute to their community through the development of life skills. Valley County 4-H impacts over 100 youth through positive youth development activities. • STEM concepts are incorporated into the majority of youth programs. In addition to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Art and Recreation are also included to make STREAM. Adult afterschool professionals also benefit from MSU Extension-offered STEM training. Through this hands-on training, Helena School District teachers experienced replicable STREAM activities. • The 4-H Afterschool program provides a receptive audience for learning life skills. 4-H Afterschool fun includes lessons in citizenship, character, history, art, and public speaking, and STREAM learning experiences. Virtual meetings have become normal and involve remote learners in 4-H Afterschool. • Youth team building activities successfully teach life skills. Through 4-H and Jobs for Montana Graduates (JMG) classes, youth learn to build consensus and create a comfort level within a group. Young people establish strong foundations for future relationships and environments of open communication. Learning experiences increase the members’ commitment to the group and contribute to their growth as leaders in their community. • Parliamentary Procedure is a skill that youth exercise in 4-H and it is appreciated as they participate in local organizations and move into adult roles in their communities. 4-H and JMG students learn to lead meetings and successfully participate in organizations. • Classroom food safety is an innovative curriculum taught by MSU Extension in high school Family and Consumer Science classes. The curriculum is designed to teach students the basic elements of food safety during 12 hours of education. This training culminated with 67 students passing tests to achieve the National Restaurant Association Food Handlers certification. • Babysitting training provides a background for youth ages 9 and up to take on the serious responsibility of caring for children. This course reached 36 young caregivers, and included basic first aid, ethical behaviors, child development, kitchen safety and business management.
Landry grinding wheat.