Category: Teaching, Parenting & Youth Development

Only as an adult have I settled into my preferred learning style. A counselor once listened to me describe a daydream of swimming and labeled me a kinesthetic learner. I’ve embraced that definition and learned to facilitate experiential education through my career at ISU Extension. Did you know that the 4-H motto is learning by doing?

This workshop presented by the Adventure Learning Center and Training Wheels will challenge you to think outside traditional teaching methods and use more experiential methods. Impact Teaching is one Training Wheels’ most popular and requested workshops. I plan to attend the training; I’ve learned lots from Michelle Cummings and I think you’ll have a great time learning there too!

Providing opportunities for making choices and speaking out are critical components of a model positive youth development program. But it’s challenging to do this with a large group of kids who may want to go in 30 different directions. These skills and qualities empower youth to plan for groups they belong to and for   advisory councils and committees. Make sure to help the kids you know develop these skills!

• Assertiveness
• A sense of security
• How to express feelings, thoughts, ideas and opinions in a non-threatening manner
• Receiving constructive criticism
• Self-respect
• Listening skills
• Turn mistakes into learning opportunities
• Work in metaphors–match “lesson of the day” with an activity/project/craft–that creates a lasting memory
• Plan and organize ideas
• Value differences
• Provide youth with opportunities to practice leading, offering input, etc.
• Model these skills for youth
• Take time for training on the above skills