Learning the 4-H Way
Become a player with your 4-H team...Learn by Doing to ensure a winning 4-H season.
Every minute of the 4-H club game counts and each 4-H learning experience can lead to new knowledge and skills. You can help every member “Learn the 4-H Way” through projects, skillathon, judging, quality assurance, field trips, camp, fair, community service and so many other fun hands-on experiences.
We believe the 4-H motto "Learn by Doing" is mastery of knowledge and skill in action, the 4-H Way. Today, educators refer to this as the Experiential Learning Process.
Why Teach the 4-H Way?
Your 4-H member's project success results from the skills and knowledge taught in your club and county programs. Are you providing hands-on project learning experiences for members on a regular basis – not just to prepare for judging or to complete the project? Mastery of knowledge and skills is important, but critical is strengthening life skills including decision making, communication, leadership, responsibility, time management, creativity, and initiative, just to name a few.
- Use multiple senses to increase members learning and mastery;
- Focus on learning from the member’s perspective – hands-on and minds-on,;
- Engage members in scientific discovery, investigation, exploration, and research of the projectand self;
- Reduce behavior problems by actively engaging members in learning; and
- Enjoy the fun of learning and teaching members!
How Can You Help Members Learn the 4-H Way?
- Assist members in selecting 4-H Projects, participate in meaningful experiences and set realistic goals.
- Learn more about the Experiential Learning Process and put into action for memorable club learning experiences.
- Utilize a variety of Non-Formal Teaching Methods to coach and train members’ in project and life skills.
- Encourage members to attend beyond club 4-H Learning Experiences beyond the club that include camps, workshops, clinics, public speaking events, quality assurance, sportsmanship and safety programs as well as many others.
- Prepare members for positive 4-H Project Evaluation experiences including skillathon, project judging, contests, fair exhibition, shows, sales and more.
- Actively involve members in planning and conducting significant Community Service Experiences and service learning projects to benefit their local communities.
