- Author: Stephanie L Barrett
Author: Marianne Bird
Originally Published on: November 22, 2016 (Republished with permission)
It was dinnertime and Claudia, my colleague and friend, was seated at a table talking with the kids at 4-H On the Wild Side camp. Sitting next to Claudia, an African American girl in the fifth grade chatted away between bites of spaghetti.
“You're from Mexico, aren't you?” the girl asked Claudia.
“Well, yes I am,” Claudia responded.
The girl returned to her plate of pasta and conversation with her friends. A minute later, she again looked to Claudia, both surprised and a bit confused.
“You're from Mexico, but you speak English. How come you speak English if you're from Mexico?”
“I learned English in school when I was growing up,” Claudia replied.
“There's a girl in my class from Mexico, but she doesn't understand English at all,” the child reported. “She has a hard time in school.” And with that, the girl again directed her attention to her dinner and friends.
I share this story only because it was a poignant reminder for me of my child development classes and the theories of Jean Piaget.[i] Piaget spoke of schema, or the understanding that children create as they experience the world, both physically and socially. Children build a framework—a perception of reality—upon which they hang information. When a new experience happens, it either fits into their understanding of how the world works, or they have to modify their mindset to accommodate the information.
For the young girl at camp, there was a disconnect between her understanding—based on her past experience—of what someone from Mexico was like (non-English speaking) and her conversation with her dinner companion. The child now had new information to reframe her thinking. Her understanding of the world is deepened.
Of course our role as 4-H leaders involves helping kids to learn: about horses, or what constitutes a healthy meal, or how to lead a meeting. Young people learn social skills, decision-making skills, indeed a variety of life skills to help them navigate their future. Yet I would argue that perhaps our greatest opportunity is not teaching kids how to do things, but providing opportunities for them to expand their understanding of this very complex world in which we live.
Our organization offers windows to new experiences. New experiences challenge and excite us. Sometimes they elicit trepidation or fear as we pilot unfamiliar territory. We may worry of being seen as incompetent as we take the risk to explore ideas and expand our thinking. The same emotions hold true for the children we work with. A skilled leader is aware of this, and they acknowledge feelings and are gentle and patient in their guidance as youth build a more complete picture of their world.
What a wonderful opportunity we've been granted. In big ways and small, we help children construct understanding in their lives: understanding of people, of their world, of themselves. Thank you for all you do to nurture this growth in our kids.
[i] Piaget, J. (1953). The origin of intelligence in the child. New Fetter Lane, New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
- Author: Stephanie L Barrett
When: March 11, 2017
Registration/Check-in Time: 3:15pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Citrus Hills High School, 18150 Wood Rd, Perris, CA 92570
Fashion Revue entries, complete survey at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=20208
Presentation entry form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9SreNWY6SK3YXRxS2hhVmxJWFE
Email Presentation entries to slbarrett@ucanr.edu
Dinner is being offered for $8.00 per person by PRE-ORDER ONLY. See Presentation Day Entry Form to pre-order. Each dinner includes 2 tacos-choice of chicken or beef, beans, rice, chips, salsa, dessert, water.
Dinner orders must be received by March 8th 11:59pm.
We will take day of entries for Presentations and Fashion Revue. You must bring completed entry form and any supporting documents with you!
2017 Riverside County Presentation Entry
- Author: Stephanie L Barrett
County Presentation Day is coming! Practice your presentation at the Murrieta or Norco Area Presentation Day. These events are a great way to practice in front of an audience. You will also be evaluated so that you know what you need to work on before County Presentation Day on March 11th. Send your entry form in today!
MURRIETA AREA 4-H PRESENTATION DAY ENTRY FORM
Date: February 18, 2017
Time: 2pm
Location: Tractor Supply Company, 27826 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta, CA 92562
Entries due on February 8, 2017.
Send entries to bethany4hkid1@gmail.com or nosoup4you87@gmail.com
Click here for ENTRY FORM
NORCO AREA 4-H PRESENTATION DAY ENTRY FORM
Date: February 25, 2017
Time: 8:30am
Location: 928 First Street, Norco CA 92860
Local clubs only
Entries due on February 17, 2017.
Send entries to Pat Center 928 First Street, Norco, CA 92860 or email to: patshischild@sbcglobal.net
Click here for ENTRY FORM