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Life Skills

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The Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program assists youth indeveloping life skills. Life skills are basic learned abilities andattitudes that enrich the lives of youth and increase theirpotential for success as individuals and group members. Youth learnmany life skills through their involvement in 4-H. The seven lifeskills identified as the focus of the Maryland 4-H YouthDevelopment Program are:

DECISION-MAKING - An important goal ofeducation is to instill in youth the skills for making sounddecisions. Youth with effective decision-making skills, setpriorities, make appropriate choices and accept responsibility fortheir decisions. They recognize how personal values influence theirdecisions and those of others.

ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE - The ability of youth togain knowledge and skills and apply them to new situations is animportant step toward self-directed living. As they build andextend their knowledge and skills, youth develop a commitment tolife-long learning.

RESPONSIBILITY - Responsible youth accepttasks, set acceptable standards and select appropriate methods forcompleting them, evaluate the outcomes and accept theconsequence.

CREATIVE THINKING - Creative thinking empowersyouth to generate new ideas. It allows them to envision change andexplore the effect it may have on their life.

COMMUNICATION - The heart of communication issending and receiving messages that result in mutual understanding.The communication skills of listening, speaking and writing empoweryouth to interact effectively in local and globalcommunities.

UNDERSTANDING SELF - Understanding self isbasic to developing a positive self-concept. Youth developconfidence and self-respect by confirming their identity as aunique, capable, significant and influential person.

GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS - Getting along withother requires youth to be cooperative, considerate, and respectfulof others. This enables them to be at ease in and accepted by thegroup. It prepares them to work as a team and to follow as well aslead.

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For more information, contact Rick Hodiak

Last updated: 03/10/2009