Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2006

Teen Educators Teach and Learn Valuable Lessons

Kristina Derhammer

Michigan teens are volunteering as 4-H Safety Belt Program educators, working with youth and teens in their communities to increase safety belt usage. Partnering with local law enforcement and FFA groups, these teens are presenting safety belt education at elementary and middle schools, community health fairs, county fairs and community events. They get out their “buckle up” message using a variety of interactive techniques: safety belt relay and trivia games, educational videos, safety belt covers, display booths and presentations for youth.

For many of these teens, their goal is to make a positive impact on the youth they serve and ultimately to save lives. However, they’re finding that serving as community educators is having an impact on their own lives too—they’re becoming more cautious drivers and learning valuable career preparation skills.

“I wanted to inform kids about the importance of seat belt use. Teens have the highest percentage of accidents; it’s important that they know how to drive carefully. Kids may be more apt to listen to other teens,” said Sara, an 18-year-old who has been involved in the 4-H Safety Belt Program since it began in 2004.

Recently, Sara and her team ran safety belt trivia and relay games for children at MSU’s annual Ag Expo. The teens dressed as crash test dummies Vince and Larry and distributed “Click It or Ticket” pencils. At nearby booths, youth made safety belt covers from colorful felt and filled out safety belt surveys with Life Saver candies reminding them, “Be a Life Saver: Buckle Up.”

Sixteen-year-old Haley became involved in the program because she enjoys working with children. She and her team from Eaton County recently presented safety belt education to 200 third-grade students at Project Rural Education Days (RED). “It feels good to see the impact I have on kids,” she said. “At Project RED, I know a child I baby-sit for was listening, because when I got in the car with her later, she told everyone to put their seat belts on.”

Matthew, an 18-year-old from Mackinac County, said he and his team have presented safety belt education to over 300 third- to sixth-grade youth and teens in the past several months, including using “BUB” the Buckle Up Bunny at 4-H camp. Matthew said he’s learned “to go out there and educate, because it does matter, and people listen if you have good facts.”

The teen educators are noticing changes in their own driving habits. “Before, I didn’t stop at country road signs because I didn’t think it made a difference, but now I stop at every stop sign. I also make others buckle up in my car,” said Haley. “I pay attention when I’m a passenger and tell others to slow down. I’d like to see other people in my school in [the program], because if you drive through the school parking lot, you see that hardly anyone wears their seat belt.”

Along with changing their driving habits, the 4-H Safety Belt Program educators say their involvement is helping them develop valuable skills for their futures. Sixteen-year-old Kristen said her experience as a teen educator has helped improve her communication skills and her ability to work as a member of a team, and it increased her commitment to make positive changes in her community. “I want to be an elementary school teacher,” she said. “I’ve gained a lot of confidence in what I do.”

Matt, a 17-year-old educator, has also found his experiences teaching safety belt education helpful in career preparation. “I want to go into agriculture teaching. I thought this could be a way to launch myself in that direction.” He said the program helped improve his communication and leadership skills. “I’ve learned a lot about the safety behind seat belts. I am now able to get up and teach, but in the past I wasn’t that good at giving speeches.”

Norm, an 18-year-old educator, has been involved with the 4-H Safety Belt Program since the beginning. Whether he’s doing presentations for youth and teens, attending trainings or working on an educational display, Norm said he can look back on the experiences and see that he’s making an important contribution. “It’s the feeling that I’m helping the community in a positive way,” he said, “and possibly helping save someone’s life down the road.”