Simple citizenship for 4-H Cloverbuds
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EmailCitizenship can and should be taught to youth ages five to seven in simple, easy to understand ways that focus on the basics.
Citizenship may seem like a big word for young children, but even five- to seven-year-olds can begin to understand what it means. Parents, leaders and Michigan State University Extension staff can teach the foundations of citizenship in meaningful ways. It doesn’t have to be complicated – simple lessons and everyday examples can help children start learning what it means to be a responsible, caring member of their community.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, citizenship is defined as “the quality of an individual’s response to membership in a community.” National 4-H defines citizenship as the knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation that enables young people to act beyond their individual self-interest for the well-being of their community and the world.
There are several ways to incorporate a project or activity into citizenship. One way is by doing a community service or service learning project. It can be as simple as painting, drawing or coloring pictures to share with others or as complicated as discovering solutions to community-wide problems.
MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development has developed three specific activities for 4-H Cloverbuds related to service and citizenship.
- Creating Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers, Veterans or Military Families
- Citizen Science – Learning About Nature and Gathering Data
- Chemo Kits for Kids
In addition, here are some other quick activities that could be done at a 4-H club meeting.
- Pledge practice. 4-H club meetings start with the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H pledge. Discuss how these pledges can be symbols of connection and pride. Help youth learn the pledges and discuss the meaning they have in their lives.
- Good citizen portraits. Discuss what it means to be a good citizen. What does that look like? What kinds of behaviors do good citizens show? Have each child draw themselves doing something that shows good citizenship. Display their artwork as a “Citizenship Wall.”
- Community clean-up. Do a mini clean-up around the playground or meeting area. Talk about how keeping spaces clean shows respect for others.
- Voting. Allow youth to experience the democratic process through voting. Explain that voting is one of our most basic rights as American citizens and a fair way for groups to make decisions together. Guide them through the process step-by-step, having them brainstorm project ideas, discuss options, and then casting their vote for a final decision. You could also have the youth make the project and then vote on where or how it is shared with others.
Citizenship might be a big word with a lot of meaning behind it, but it can be easy to break the concepts into terms and experiences that are appropriate for youth ages 5 – 7 to start learning.
