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Help Evaluate the Cloverbud Connections Newsletter "You may win a Longaberger Basket" We would like to invite you to participate in a statewide survey to help us evaluate the Ohio Cloverbud Connections newsletter. The quarterly newsletter has been distributed statewide since 1997 to volunteers and teachers working with Kindergarten through second grade youth. Attached to your newsletter, you will find a survey to complete. Please take a few moments to complete the survey and mail it back to us. Included with your survey is a coupon to enter a drawing for a limited edition Ohio 4-H Centennial Longaberger Basket - complete with a unique 4-H fabric and Centennial tag. The basket comes with the liner, tag and clear plastic protector and has been handcrafted in Dresden, Ohio by The Longaberger Company. When your completed survey is returned, the survey and coupon will be separated before we review or compile the data. Please mail the completed survey and coupon by February 28th to Joyce Shriner, OSU Extension, Hocking County, 150 N. Homer Ave., Logan, OH 43138. We appreciate your input to help us improve this resource for the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Program. The Editors, Cloverbud Curriculum Highlight This newsletter contains information that addresses children's fears. It could be used to enhance or extend the "Rules and Reasons for all Seasons" curriculum that is part of the Ohio Cloverbud Curriculum Manual - Series II. Talking with Children when the Talking Gets Tough Wars, shootings in schools, natural disasters, deaths at sporting events-as adults we hope that these and other tragic outcomes will never happen anywhere and definitely will not impact the children and youth we care about. We would like to protect those young minds from the pain and horror of difficult situations. We would like to ensure that they have happy, innocent, and carefree lives. So what is a parent, teacher, or other caring adult to do when disasters fill the airwaves and the consciousness of society? Don't assume that the kids don't know about it. They probably know more than you think. The reality of today's world is that news travels far and wide. Adults and children learn about disasters and tragedies shortly after they occur, and live video footage with close-ups and interviews are part of the report. Children and youth are exposed to the events as soon as they can watch TV or interact with others who are consumers of the news. Not talking about it does not protect children. In fact, you may communicate that the subject is taboo and that you are unavailable if you remain silent. Be available and "askable." Let kids know that it is okay to talk about the unpleasant events. Listen to what they think and feel. By listening, you can find out if they have misunderstandings, and you can learn more about the support they need. You do not need to explain more than they are ready to hear, but be willing to answer their questions. Share your feelings. Tell young people if you feel afraid, angry, or frustrated. It can help them to know that others also are upset by the events. They might feel that only children are struggling. If you tell them about your feelings, you also can tell them about how you deal with the feelings. Be careful not to overwhelm them or expect them to find answers for you. Help children use creative outlets like art and music to express their feelings. Children may not be comfortable or skilled with words, especially in relation to difficult situations. Using art, puppets, music, or books might help children open up about their reactions. They may want to draw pictures and then destroy them, or they could want to display them or send them to someone else. Be flexible and listen. Reassure young people and help them feel safe. When tragic events occur, children may be afraid that the same will happen to them. Some young children may even think that it already did happen to them. It is important to let them know that they are not at risk-if they are not. Try to be realistic as you reassure them, however. You can try to support them and protect them, but you can not keep all bad things from happening to children. You can always tell them that you love them, though. You can say that, no matter what happens, your love will be with them. That is realistic, and often that is all the children need to feel better. Support children's concern for people they do not know. Children often are afraid not only for themselves, but also for people they do not even know. They learn that many people are getting hurt or are experiencing pain in some way. They worry about those people and their well being. In some cases they might feel less secure or cared for themselves if they see that others are hurting. It is heartwarming and satisfying to observe this level of caring in children. Explore ways to help others and ease the pain. Look for feelings beyond fear. After reassuring kids, don't stop there. Studies have shown that children also may feel sad or angry. Let them express that full range of emotions. Support the development of caring and empathy. Be careful not to encourage the kind of response given by one child: "I don't care if there's a war, as l long as it doesn't affect me and my family." Help children and youth find a course of action. One important way to reduce stress is to take action. This is true for both adults and children. The action may be very simple or more complex. Children may want to write a letter to someone about their feelings, get involved in an organization committed to preventing events like the one they are dealing with, or send money to help victims or interventionists. Let the young people help to identify the action choices. They may have wonderful ideas. Take action and get involved in something. It is not enough to let children take action by themselves. Children who know that their parents, teachers, or other significant caregivers are working to make a difference feel hope. They feel safer and more positive about the future. So do something. It will make you feel more hopeful, too. And hope is one of the most valuable gifts we can give children and ourselves. Source: Myers-Walls, Judith A., Extension Specialist, Purdue University.
Introducing the 4-H Cloverbud Volunteer Training Video We are pleased to provide each county Extension office with a 4-H Cloverbud Volunteer Training video. It was made possible by a 4-H Foundation Grant. The video was developed to help Cloverbud leaders better understand the program and serve children in Cloverbuds by promoting their healthy development as life skills are enhanced. The video is about 25 minutes long. It can be used in its entirety or a section at a time. There are six sections labeled on the video box with the approximate running lengths of each section. The video is organized in the following manner:
Check with your county 4-H Extension professional about utilizing the instructional video. Some options include viewing it: at break out session of a county-wide volunteer in-service, as a self-study for current volunteers, or as a resource to recruit potential volunteers by letting them know what Cloverbuds is all about. Talk with your county 4-H professional about what might work best for you. Vicki Reed, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Muskingum County
Hello Cloverbud Volunteers!!! For all the Cloverbud Spanish-speaking volunteer leaders, I am pleased to announce that the Cloverbud Curriculum Series I is available in Spanish through the Internet. The URL address is: http://www.ohio4h.org/cloverbuds/handbook/seriesone/esp/frontpage.htm Special thanks is extended to the CYFERnet people for making this possible with their funding and providing the Webmaster services to get it up and running. CYFERnet is a national network of land grant university faculty and county Extension educators working to support community-based educational programs for children, youth, parents and families. Gratitude is also extended to Wendy Stivers, Sarah McArdell, Srinivas Kolluri (HTML mark-up), Bob Rubinyi, Trudy Dunham, Roger Terry, Ruben Nieto (translation), Sergio Castro (translation) and Joe Konen for their contributions to make this a reality. Extension's mission is to help people improve their lives through an educational process using scientific knowledge focused on identified issues and needs. We help all people regardless of background. Cloverbud Series I – Spanish Version is another way Extension can reach more people and children who otherwise may not be served. Have FUN! Thanks for all that you do as Cloverbud Leaders and Advisors!!! Scott D. Scheer Supplies needed: Graham Cracker Sandwiches
Hot Chocolate
Graham cracker sandwiches and hot chocolate make a warm and filling winter snack. Cloverbuds can make graham cracker sandwiches by spreading cake icing on one graham cracker and topping it with a second cracker. Serve the sandwiches with hot chocolate. |
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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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