Why are 4-H Cloverbuds unique?
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EmailYoung people ages 5 – 7 experience 4-H in a non-competitive environment that fosters skill development, safety and cooperation.
When young people between the ages of 5 and 7 join the Michigan 4-H program, they are called 4-H Cloverbuds. This special name for 4-H’ers describes those under the traditional 4-H age of 8. The Cloverbud program offers youth ages 5 - 7 the opportunity to belong and experience a great number of learning adventures.
The goal of the Cloverbud program is to have a variety of quality, positive and safe learning opportunities and experiences. Michigan 4-H has a set of Cloverbud Learning Guidelines that provides direction for involving Cloverbuds in events, activities and experiences. The focus for Cloverbuds is skill development, cooperation and safety. We recognize them with participation ribbons and prizes that are consistent. Children in this age group are typically very high energy, enjoy learning, and need experiences that allow them to continue developing their skills. At this age, we try to minimize the risk of failure and maximize the opportunities for success. This is developmentally appropriate for them and allows for their sense of self to be positive in nature.
In 4-H, we value young people learning by doing, and try to help them experience things first-hand. For many youth, they have the opportunity to participate in, not just attend, their first business meeting. Some will even help run the meeting, depending on the club leadership structure. Through Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Programs, younger youth may serve as a junior officer when paired with a teen officer who can help them learn the responsibilities of the position. Cloverbuds may have attended a meeting with a parent or older sibling, but to have their voice heard and to have a real vote is an exciting and often newer experience for 5-7 year-olds.
Cloverbuds and animals can be a recipe for fun when we have set the stage for them to be successful and work to ensure their safety. Often Cloverbuds use an animal of an older member; however, they may have their own. Regardless, they must have an adult or older youth with them when working with their animals to ensure their safety. Michigan 4-H Youth Development provides 4-H Cloverbud Snapshot Sheets that help youth interested in animals learn the basics about specific animal species with age-appropriate tasks.
Whatever the project is for Cloverbud-aged youth, 4-H volunteers should think through the developmental appropriateness of the activity, the skills necessary for Cloverbuds to be successful, and the factors needed to create a physically and emotionally safe environment.
For more information on 4-H Cloverbud programming, consider watching the 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series video, “Working with Cloverbuds.”
