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Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

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Page 1: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training

Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers

-Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Page 2: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Developmental Characteristics

• Physical • Social• Emotional• Intellectual

Page 3: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Development Influences

• Parents• Caregivers• Teachers• Peers• Environment• Extended Family• Community• Media• Heredity

Page 4: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Principles of Development

• Development is orderly, not random.• Development is a continuous and gradual

process.• Development is most rapid during the early

stages of infancy and the adolescent years. • Not all children develop at the same pace.• Not all children possess the same

temperament.• Development occurs within a larger context.• Development is a multi-faceted concept.

Page 5: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Physical Characteristics of 6-8 Year Olds

• Mastering physical skills – large and small muscles.• Has better control over large than small muscles.• Very active

Implications: • Projects could get messy.• Activities need to be active!• Plan hands on active experiences.• Focus on large muscle activities.• Make activities doable for beginners.

Page 6: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Social Characteristics of 6-8 Year Olds

• May have many friends at a time.• More aware of peers and opinions.• Boys begin to separate from girls.• Focused on self but learning about empathy.

Implications:• Small groups are effective – encourage

interaction. • Role play can help build empathy.• Help each child achieve success.

Page 7: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Emotional Characteristics of 6-8 Year Olds

• Fairness is “being nice to others so they’ll be nice in return.”• Family is primary focus and source of stability.• When away from family, the leader may become a central

figure.• Avoids punishment and sensitive to criticism.

Implications:• Use cooperative games where everyone wins.• Show adult approval.• Be available to discuss fears.

Page 8: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Intellectual Characteristics of 6-8 Year Olds

• Concrete thinking – based on what they know.• More interested in doing things than the end result.• Learning to sort and categorize.• Need to focus on one thing at a time.Implications:

• Enjoy being read to. • Provide activities that center on doing rather than the finished

product.• Demonstrate the activity – rather than just talk about it.• Plan short activities.• Allow for exploration and inquiry.

Page 9: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Physical Characteristics of 9-11 Year Olds

• Better large muscle control and eye/hand coordination.• Very active – can’t sit still.• Gender differences in maturation.• May be uncomfortable with body image.

Implications:• Plan opportunities to move bodies – active learning

experiences.• Vary activities to accommodate differences.• Avoid boy/girl competition.• Hands on activities preferred.

Page 10: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Social Characteristics of 9-11 Year Olds

• Join clubs and groups – loyalty to friends/groups.• Like to be in groups of others similar to themselves.• Prefer same sex groups. • Like to make others happy• Concerned with fairness and rules.• Still self-centered.

Implications:• Give them freedom within structured limits.• Plan time to spend with friends.• Assist groups to form for activities.• Encourage them to negotiate rules prior to an activity.• Reinforce positive communication and negotiation skills.

Page 11: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Emotional Characteristics of 9-11 Year Olds

• Want to feel valued and needed.• Want to act grown up.• Beginning to question parental authority.• Look to adults for guidance and approval.• May be moody.

Implications:• Give correction quietly and one-to-one.• Help them identify successes.• Never play favorites.• Give specific positive feedback.• Recognize unique abilities.• Redirect inappropriate behavior.

Page 12: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Intellectual Characteristics of 9-11 Year Olds

• Like to be involved in planning.• Until 11, thinking concretely but then begin to understand

new ideas.• Like collecting and hobbies.• Want to learn adult skills and make useful products.

Implications:• Encourage belief and value exploration.• Encourage goal setting.• Provide opportunities to learn “real-life” skills.• Help youth form groups to explore similar hobbies and

collections.

Page 13: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Physical Characteristics of 12-14 Year Olds

• Many physical changes - Hand/feet, nose/ears may grow faster than arms/legs.

• May be concerned about physical appearance.• Wide range of development• between genders.Implications:

• Avoid boy/girl competition.• Accept that physical appearance is very important.• Avoid activities that could cause• Embarrassment about their bodies.• Be patient and supportive.

Page 14: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Social Characteristics of 12-14 Year Olds

• Seek peer recognition.• Interested in opposite sex.• Search for role models.• Desire to conform to group.Implications:

• Provide opportunities for genders to mix in groups.• Engage them in setting their own rules and

consequences.• Help them find information and resources.

Page 15: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Emotional Characteristics of 12-14 Year Olds

• Compare themselves to others.

• See themselves as “on-stage”.

• Concerned about peer acceptance.

• Want privacy and independence from adults.

• Is easily embarrassed.Implications:• Avoid comparing to each other – performance should be compared to

past performance.

• Avoid putting them ‘on the spot” whether commending or criticizing.

• Provide opportunities to practice independence within structured limits – expect follow through.

• Encourage youth and adults to work together.

Page 16: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Intellectual Characteristics of 12-14 Year Olds

• Concerned with justice and equality.• Learning abstract thinking.• Understand cause and effect.• Can handle in-depth, long-term projects.• Challenge assumptions.Implications:• Encourage them to predict “what might happen if”.• Involve them in making program decisions.• Provide opportunities to make choices and discuss

decisions.

Page 17: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Physical Characteristics of 15-18 Year Olds

• Concerned about body image• Exhibit smaller range in size and maturity among

peers• Tend to have realistic view of limits to which body

can be testedImplications:• Be willing to answer questions• Avoid comments that criticize or compare youth • Set a good example for health and physical

fitness

Page 18: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Social Characteristics of 15-18 Year Olds

• Tend to romanticize sexuality but moving toward better understanding of reality

• Search for intimacy; test sexual attractiveness• Makes commitments and can follow through• Desire respect; wants adult leadership roles• Are apt to reject goals set by othersImplications:• Let them plan own programs• Establish climate that is conducive to peer support• Emphasize personal development and leadership

Page 19: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Emotional Characteristics of 15-18 Year Olds

• Desire respect• Accepting their own uniqueness but still seek approval

from peers• Look for confidence of others in their decisions• Developing own set of values and beliefs• Gaining autonomy; introspective• Can initiate and carry out tasks without supervisionImplications:• Let teens assume responsibility – expect them to follow

through• Help them explore identity, values, beliefs• Help them develop individual skills• Encourage youth and adults working together

Page 20: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Intellectual Characteristics of 15-18 Year Olds

• Are mastering abstract thinking• Can imagine impact of present behavior on future• Enjoy demonstrating acquired knowledge• Will lose patience with meaningless activitiesImplications:• Give them real-life problems to solve• Let them make decisions and evaluate outcomes• Encourage service learning• Plan career exploration activities

Page 21: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

Practical Implications

• For younger children:– Understand that young children are limited by their

developmental capacities– Organize activities & events that are age-

appropriate– Encourage active involvement rather than

competition– Build upon children’s physical, social, emotional,

and cognitive skills– Be generous with praise– Encourage exploration – Provide clear rules, boundaries, & structure

Page 22: Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Understanding the Needs of 4-H Campers -Developmental Characteristics of 4-H Campers

• For adolescents/teens:– Encourage emerging independence, but maintain

structure, boundaries, rules– Be sensitive to self-image issues– Be open to discussing/handling sensitive issues – Foster positive peer interaction– Be a positive role model– Provide constructive criticism along with positive

feedback– Promote hands-on activities & experiential

learning opportunities

Practical Implications