VASCD2024

Virginia 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the Commonwealth, is a vital part of Virginia Cooperative Extension, supported by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. The program engages nearly 185,000 youth in hands-on, experiential learning across four key areas: Agriculture, Healthy Living, STEM, and Civic Engagement. Central to its success is the research-based 4-H Thrive Model of positive youth development, which emphasizes fostering thriving youth through structured programs. According to Lerner and Lerner, youth involved in 4-H programs are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities, twice as likely to be civically active, and nearly twice as likely to participate in science programs compared to their peers.
 
Workshop Objectives:
 
Tour the 4-H Mobile Learning Lab: The mobile learning lab tours aim to ignite interest in K-5 students for future careers in healthcare, life sciences, and agriculture, providing early exposure to these fields through interactive experiences.
Review of 4-H Social Emotional Learning Curricula for Primary and Secondary Students: Participants will explore various 4-H curricula designed to enhance social and emotional learning, including Thrive EI, Your Thoughts Matter, GEM, and Mindful Me.
Learn How to Partner and Connect with Your Local 4-H Program: Information on how to connect with your local 4-H extension office will be provided, ensuring accessibility to these valuable resources and programs.
Curriculum Overviews:
 
Thrive EI: Empowering Youth to Thrive with Emotional Intelligence: This curriculum equips young people with essential emotional and social skills to navigate challenges and prevent violent behavior. It focuses on emotional awareness, self-regulation, effective communication, flexible thinking, and conflict resolution, fostering resilience, empathy, and responsible decision-making. Customized for Virginia 4-H, it incorporates input from Virginia teens through focus groups.
Your Thoughts Matter: Navigating Mental Health: Targeted at middle and high school students, this curriculum explores the meaning of mental health, the prevalence of issues like anxiety and depression, and promotes understanding and action. It is designed for advanced-level youth interested in mental health and overall well-being.
GEM: Get Experience in Mindfulness: Suitable for ages 10 and up, including adults, this program emphasizes stress management through practical and interactive mindfulness-based activities. It is research-based and theory-driven, meeting National Health Education Standards.
Mindful Me: A 4-H Primary Mindfulness Curriculum: Designed for youth in grades K-3, this curriculum introduces basic mindfulness practices. It promotes improvements in goal management, self-awareness, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating. Outcomes include short-term skill development, mid-term stress management improvements, and long-term physical, emotional, and social health benefits.