Resources for Working With 5- to 8-Year-Olds

Michigan Resources

In working with 5- to 8-year-olds or school-aged children, we can help these most inquisitive youngsters explore their world through fun, hands-on activities. Young children have unique needs and interests and these 4-H programs include exciting activities to use with this age group:

• Character Education
  A community-based approach to teaching young people six values that transcend divisions of politics, religion, race, gender and social class — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Activities are available in six age groups, including ages 4 to 6 and 6 to 9.
• Kaleidoscope Overview Leader's Guide (4-H 1459) (Adobe PDF format)
  This booklet provides an overview of the Michigan 4-H Youth Development 5- to 8-year-old curriculum, "Kaleidoscope." Kaleidoscope materials focus on 5- to 8-year-olds' interests such as holidays, animals, how things work and things that happened long ago.
• Kaleidscope: Just Outside the Door Leader's Guide (4-H 1460) (Adobe PDF format)
  This leader's guide has plans for meetings on 12 different topics, with activities designed to help children learn more about the world that exists "just outside their door." Topics include water, plants, other people, insects and appropriate clothing for being outside.
• Kaleidoscope: Just Outside the Door Member's Packet (4-H 1461) (Adobe PDF format)
  This packet is a companion to the "Just Outside the Door" meeting plans. It includes response sheets and mini-posters for children to take home to their parents.
• Sew, Read!
  This textiles-based learning curriculum encourages reading and literacy skills using simple textile construction activities. These learning materials are available through your county MSU Extension office.

Other Resources

• Kids' Stuff From the Michigan Historical Museum
  Discover fun activities to involve children at the Michigan Historical Center Web site. Activities range from building a plank road to making architectural rubbings. The site is a "web-riffic" way to learn more about Michigan history. If you're an adult volunteer or teacher working with young people on Michigan history visit the Michigan Historical Center Teachers' Stuff site.
• National Network for Child Care
  A network to increase and strengthen the quality of nonparental care environments by making quality research, resources and best practices available for direct local access.

More Things to Consider When Working With Five- to Eight-Year-Olds

• About the Major Developmental Changes
• Developmental Tasks or "Jobs" of 5- to 8-Year-Olds
• What We Know About How Children Learn

Learning Materials

More information on learning materials available to support these activities can be found in the Michigan Guide to 4-H or through the MSU Bulletin Office.

Training & Events

For upcoming training and events in this area, check the 4-H Volunteer Workshops web site, the MSU Extension Calendar and the 4-H Exploration Days web site.

Contact Information

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Sheila Urban Smith, Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA

Phone: 517-432-7575
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: smiths20@msu.edu

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Last Updated: February 17, 2009
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