It takes a whole village to raise a child, but it takes an involved, conscientious village willing to provide real life, hands-on, leadership experience to kids in order to raise a child to become a leader.

Child development researchers define youth leadership as “a set of competencies that allow young people to lead others over the long term.” Children, like adults, acquire competency through experience. Idaho 4-H youth development specialists are currently leading a nationwide effort to develop a 4-H Youth Leadership Curriculum that allows kids to gain leadership skills through participation in age-appropriate, experience-based leadership activities.

The curriculum provides young people with opportunities to first identify, then exercise, and ultimately master leadership skills. The 4-H Youth Leadership Curriculum focuses on kids from kindergarten age through 12th grade. It is based on the long-established, hands-on acquisition of life skills that is the backbone of 4-H programs. The goal is for participating youth to serve leadership roles in their communities, schools, churches, 4-H and other groups, within their own families, and wherever they can have a positive impact. “Our national design team recognized the need for a curriculum that challenges youth to explore their personal leadership potential,” said Idaho 4-H Youth Specialist Linda Webb. “Kids who use this curriculum will find that they can be a leader, no matter what age, where they live, or their past experiences.”