4-H Works for Youth
4-H learning experiences are based on the principles and practices of positive youth development. Positive youth development views young people as vital resources with assets and potentials to be developed. The Iowa 4-H Positive Youth Development experience is outlined in the 4-H Equation.
Youth-driven 4-H experiences provide youth access to safe learning environments; challenging experiences that build skills, competencies, and resiliency to address life’s challenges and to actively contribute to society; and partnerships with caring adults to help meet youths’ basic needs of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
4-H staff and volunteers intentionally address youths’ basic needs by integrating eight essential elements within 4-H youth development experiences: caring adults, safe environments, mastery, service, self-determination, inclusiveness, futuristic, and engagement.
The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, a longitudinal study conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, shows the positive impact for youth engaged with 4-H.
Because of 4-H, youth are:
See the results from the Tufts study in the Waves of the Future report.
