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Where's Dad? Getting Fathers Involved in Cloverbuds In general, active father involvement in early childhood programming has positive benefits for children's socio-emotional and cognitive development. Yet, compared to mothers, fathers tend to be less engaged in these settings. What can you do to increase fathers' involvement in Cloverbuds? James Levine, Dennis Murphy, and Sherrill Wilson outline several approaches to reaching and working with men in their book "Getting Men Involved: Strategies for Early Childhood Programs" (http://www.fatherhoodproject.org ). Below are a few of their suggestions. First, expect male involvement. Convey this expectation by including questions about the father (or father-figure) on your enrollment forms, sending announcements to both parents if they are not living together, and repeatedly announcing that children's fathers and significant men in their lives are welcome at your events. Often, men do not participate simply because they have not been asked -- so just ask them. Second, show men that they are welcomed. Display positive images of men with children on your brochures, flyers, and walls to show they are important. Make yourself available to fathers by meeting and greeting them at the door (or at their cars) as they drop-off/pick-up their children. Also, when talking to dads praise their children's progress and recognize dad's contribution. Last, provide meaningful experiences for men when they do participate. Some men do not participate because they feel uncomfortable when working with young children. Be sensitive to their concerns by considering their viewpoint, offering them guidance on how to be involved, and preparing ("masculine") activities that they can do with their children when they attend. Overall, create "father-friendly" environments that are comfortable and welcoming to men. Take active steps to reach out to the significant men in your Cloverbud Club children's lives. After the tragic events of September 11, we experienced a dramatic increase in patriotism across the nation. One of the most visible signs of that rise in patriotism comes with the increased display of the American flag. Stores experienced record sales of flags in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Throughout Ohio and across the nation, individuals desire to participate in this increased wave of patriotic zeal. Although the flag is more prominently on display than it was six months ago, it is important to recognize that there are specific guidelines to ensure that proper respect is demonstrated for the flag. Many Americans may not realize the existence of such guidelines in displaying the flag. Even though most Americans certainly would not seek to communicate any disrespect for the flag, it is possible to do so unintentionally or unknowingly. Because of this, it is important for individuals and organizations to learn the basics of flag etiquette. A number of excellent resources exist to help individuals in discovering the guidelines covering the proper display of the flag. The guidelines covering the proper display of the flag originate in the United States Code in the section dealing with patriotic customs (United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10). The United States Code is the official, subject matter order, compilation of the Federal laws currently in force. A number of both printed publications and sites on the Internet exist to communicate the sections of the United States Code relating to the flag of the United States of America. Individuals with an interest in learning the specifics of proper flag etiquette may view the guidelines online (www.usflag.org/us.code36.html). Kenny Kidd
The Pledge of Allegience has new value for kids prior to Septemebr 11, patriotism made kids think of past wars and history, maybe it was even funny or boring. Now they find strength, stability, familiarity, and comfort in patriotism such as saying the Pledge of Allegience. Source: Marketing to Kids Newsletter,
Lisa McCutcheon is one of two 4-H Youth Development Professionals in Licking County. Lisa was the winner of the Centennial Longaberger Basket selected from the 4-H professionals that completed a Cloverbud Connections Newsletter Survey. Lisa has been in Licking County for three years and works with 4-H Agent Stacey Baker who coordinates the Cloverbud Program. Licking County has approximately 32 Cloverbud Clubs and conducts a 2-day Day Camp for their Cloverbuds. Tammy Hardy from Wood County also won a 4-H Longaberger Basket. Tammy is an advisor with the Portage Valley Cloverbud Club and has been a 4-H volunteer for two years. Her name was drawn from all the volunteers that completed a Cloverbud Connection Newsletter survey. Thank you everyone that completed the survey. We have received 176 surveys to help us evaluate the newsletter. Materials: A small American flag placed in the room inconspicuously Invite the children to play a game of "I Spy." Give hints such as: You can find me inside or outside. After the children have discovered the flag, ask them these questions: Can you name some places you've seen flags fly? Materials: A large American flag. Help develop respect for the flag by teaching the children how to do a military fold when putting the flag away. Hold end of the flag; fold it lengthwise two times to make a long strip. Starting at the striped end, fold it into a triangular shape. Tuck the edge in if needed. Help the children as they go along, reminding them to handle the flag with care and respect. Let each child have the opportunity to fold the flag. Application: Ask the children to observe how people in their community take down their flags. Do they use a military fold? Where do they keep their flag? Materials: A large American flag. Help develop respect for the flag by teaching the children how to do a military fold when putting the flag away. Hold end of the flag; fold it lengthwise two times to make a long strip. Starting at the striped end, fold it into a triangular shape. Tuck the edge in if needed. Help the children as they go along, reminding them to handle the flag with care and respect. Let each child have the opportunity to fold the flag. Application: Ask the children to observe how people in their community take down their flags. Do they use a military fold? Where do they keep their flag? Make Your Own "Old Glory" Materials: Red, white, and blue construction paper: 5/8" red strips, 5 x 4" blue rectangle, and white for the base, scissors, glue, and white chalk. Encourage the children to make a flag of their own. Show them how to glue the blue corner on and a red stripe at the top and bottom of the white paper, spacing the last five stripes evenly in the middle. Let them make stars with the chalk on the blue paper. As the children work, play patriotic music and talk about the name the flag is know by: "Old Glory,: the "Star Spangled Banner," and the "Stars and Stripes." Note to the Volunteer: Have the children make an extra flag to use in an art exhibit, Cloverbud display, or county fair exhibit. Materials: Empty toilet paper rolls, rubber bands, wax paper, markers, and gummed stars. Show the children how to assemble their own kazoos by folding the wax paper several times so that it covers the end of the paper roll. Rubber band it in place. Encourage the children to decorate their kazoos with the markers and stars. Test the kazoos. Place the end of the roll lightly to your mouth and hum or sing. The vibration of the layers of wax paper should make your kazoos sound great! Source: "Our Flag." Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Curriculum.
It is good to be back in the "Campus Connections" column. I hope some of you were able to participate in the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference on March 9th. Besides a great recognition banquet there are excellent educational sessions and seminars including ones related to the Cloverbud program. If you did not make it this year, plan to attend in 2003. Did you know that listening is a component of social interaction skills? Social interaction skills or getting along with others is one of our five life skills that we target for children to develop in the Cloverbud program. Sometimes it is easy to believe that speaking well or the ability to communicate with others is most important for effective social interaction. To the contrary, that is only a part of social interaction skills with the ability to LISTEN as equally important. As a Cloverbud volunteer, how would you help children develop listening skills? We can nurture listening skills with 4-H Cloverbud children in a variety of ways. They get plenty of practice as you the Cloverbud leader provide direction and guidance while the children are engaged in Cloverbud activities. Another strategy is to model active listening skills. Listen to the children themselves as they talk with you and their peers. Cloverbud children look up to adults; which means you are an important role model for them. By displaying positive listening skills they will indirectly pick-up your behaviors. Don't get discouraged when working with children who would rather talk than listen. Ask them to share the directions you have given them with a peer or yourself to encourage listening, have the children speak one at a time instead of all at once, and most importantly, model good listening skills yourself. Over time children will improve this essential life skill of active listening by participating in the Cloverbud program. Thanks for all that you do as Cloverbud Leaders and Advisors!!! Scott D. Scheer
Use this fun and easy snack idea to celebrate 4-H's 100th birthday, Independence Day, or other special events. Supplies needed Unfrosted cupcakes - 1 per person Stir or whip the frosting until it is fluffy and of spreading consistency. Give each member a cupcake and a plastic knife and have them ice their cupcake. Members can decorate their cupcakes by drawing designs on top of the vanilla frosting with the tubes of colored icing. Serve with a glass of milk. |
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All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ad. Admin. and Director,
OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868 |
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