Goals & purpose

Goals and purpose for Cloverbud programs

The philosophy

The Cloverbud Program is a part of the Center for 4-H Youth Development statewide program and reflects the Center’s mission to foster positive child development. It recognizes the unique needs of this age group.

Statement of purpose

The purpose of the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud Program is to support the positive development of children as they explore their world, discover the possibilities, build self-esteem and practice the basic social skills which will be the basis for a future when they will become competent, caring, contributing citizens.

To support this, the Cloverbud Program demonstrates the following characteristics:

• Reflects a child-centered approach

• Is noncompetitive    

• Encourages family and community involvement

• Values diversity and is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate

• Is accessible to all children

Goals

Children in grades K-2 who participate in the 4-H Cloverbud Program will accomplish the following goals:

• Develop a positive self-concept

• Develop competencies in life skills for self-understanding, social interaction, decision making, learning to learn, and mastering physical skills

• Gain knowledge in sciences, literature, and the arts through the experiential learning process

• Develop positive attitudes about learning

• Develop ongoing relationships with caring adults and older youth who serve as positive role models

• Explore family and community relationships

• Develop an understanding and appreciation for social and cultural diversity

Focus

Cloverbuds offers K-2 children a chance to be involved in 4-H in a variety of settings. Educational materials available to support the program can be used for both short-term and long-term programming. Delivery of the Cloverbud Program may occur through sponsorship by organized clubs, day camps, school-age care programs, special interest programs, community and home schools, or individual study.

In all settings, the determining factors in designing the learning experiences are the members’ interests, abilities, and needs. The focus of the 4-H Cloverbuds is the positive growth of the children, not the activities or projects used as vehicles to foster that growth and development.

Contact

Jeremy Freeman, volunteer systems director, jeremyf@umn.edu, 612-624-6807