Michigan 4-H Youth Development


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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: msue4h@msu.edu Disclaimer & Indicia

Communications

The Communications Toolkit

Experts such as parents, teachers, employers and others who work with young people know that communication skills are essential tools for kids' success. The Communications Toolkit is designed for individuals who work with young people aged 12 and up and who want fun, easy and meaningful communication activities to use with clubs, classrooms, camps, after-school programs and other settings where kids come together. In the toolkit you will find background information for group leaders, skill sheets with tips and basic information, group icebreakers, hands-on activities, handouts and other resources that will help kids build on their skills in several key areas.

Written Communications

The Written Communications section provides thoughtful activities and reference materials on writing basics, creative writing, news writing, writing for newsletters and story writing.

Writing as a Life Skill

The ability to write is an important and marketable life skill. The writing activities and skills sheets in this section help develop young people's ability to:

Communicate and express themselves effectively.
Explore personal creativity through writing.
Judge the value of information for a given purpose.
Ask questions to gain more information.
Research, organize and plan for a final product.
Work as a team member on projects such as newsletters.
Build personal awareness and self-esteem by understanding their abilities and having opportunities to experience success.
Manage feelings by using writing to express themselves.

Download a sample activity sheet: The ABCs of Me

You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print these pdf (Portable Document Format) files. If you don't already have the Acrobat Reader, you can click on the "Get Acrobat Reader" button to download it from the Adobe site.

Vocal Expression and Public Speaking

The Vocal Expression and Public Speaking section includes fun, interactive exercises that will help kids with planning, writing and delivering speeches and demonstrations, using visual aids and overcoming stage nerves.

Vocal Expression as a Life Skill

Participating in the public speaking warm-ups and activities in this section helps young people develop their ability to:

Organize their thoughts and ideas.
Communicate information to someone else in a confident and convincing manner.
Problem-solve and be flexible, such as in overcoming stage nerves or adapting information to different audiences and situations.
Use resources, such as time allotted for a speech, wisely.
Develop useful, marketable skills.
Manage stress and feelings.
Evaluate their work and set goals for improvement.

Download a sample skill sheet: Overcoming Stage Nerves

Visual Communication and Graphic Design

The Visual Communication and Graphic Design section gets kids familiar with design basics, working with type, designing logos and creating presentation graphics, posters, fliers and exhibits.

Visual Communication as a Life Skill

Using the visual communication and graphic design activities in this section provides young people with practice in valuable life skills such as:

Planning and researching a project, and then organizing the information.
Making decisions and solving problems creatively.
Using resources wisely.
Working as team members.
Learning useful and marketable technical skills, such as the elements and principles of design.
Developing record-keeping skills.
Strengthening self-esteem by understanding their abilities and having an opportunity to experience success.
Evaluating a project and setting goals for improvement.

Download a sample activity: You're My Type

Video, Media & Technology

The Video, Media and Technology section introduces kids to video production, including writing, speaking, shooting, graphics, interviewing and editing. Strategies for working with the news media and using the Internet safely are included, too.

Video, Media and Technology Develops Life Skills

Kids and adults develop the following life skills by participating in video, media and technology projects:

Teamwork
Leadership
Time management
Decision-making and creative problem-solving
The ability to plan and research a project, and then organize the information
The ability to use resources wisely
Resiliency or the ability to learn from mistakes
Useful and marketable skills
Self-confidence and self-esteem
Evaluation skills and the ability to set goals for improvement
Career exploration skills and school-to-work transitions

Download a sample skill sheet: Shooting Your Videos

What People Are Saying About The Communications Toolkit…

From "Youth Today: The Newspaper for Youth Work"…

"…a well-organized and user-friendly guide to helping kids learn better communication skills." "…activities are hands-on and focused, and each one can stand alone or be used in a series." (Vol. 9, No. 9, October 2000, p. 23)

From the 4-H Experiential Learning Youth Development Curriculum Collection National Jury Reviewers…

"The experiential learning model is evident throughout the curriculum, through the "reflection" step — the "Talking It Over" questions and the "Where to Go from Here" activity."

"Leaders, volunteers, and students were clearly involved in the development, pilot, and evaluation of this curriculum." "It also resulted in a powerful leaders guide, a valuable tool with lots of useful information."

"Multiple delivery modes are clearly interwoven into the curriculum. Leader materials are especially user-friendly, self-explanatory and easy to follow."

"The authors have done a great job of integrating various educational experiences into the curriculum."

"The curriculum lays the foundation for youth to learn and develop communication skills in a fun way. The material is appealing."

"The hands-on activities are great and will facilitate learning. The curriculum clearly focuses on appropriate life skills for the intended age group."

"Overall, the curriculum is sensitive to diversity."

"The subject matter offers youth a "world" of opportunities to improve their communication skills. 4-H has always professed to help youth gain the life skill of communications. This curriculum, however, takes them beyond the traditional big "two" of speaking and demonstrating."

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:

4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA
Phone: 517-432-7575
Fax: 517-353-6748
Email: msue4h@msu.edu