Increasing Parental Involvement in 4-H Programming: Strategies and Tips

Parents are an important part of youths' success within the 4-H program (Radhakrishna, Foley, Ingram, & Ewing, 2013). However, lack of parental involvement has been identified as a challenge that 4-H is facing (McKee, Taulbert & Barkman, 2002). How should volunteer leaders better involve parents in 4-H programming?

A synthesis of literature allowed us to group existing resources and tips into strategies that can help community leaders increase parental involvement in youth programs:

Strategies and Tips for Increased Parental Involvement in Youth Programming

Include parents at the early stage of program delivery.

Explain the following to parents:

• The benefits of the youth program.
• Your desire for them to be involved in the planning process.
• Your clearly defined expectations for parent involvement (meeting attendance, parents' roles and responsibilities, etc.).

Provide a welcoming environment for the entire family.

• Introduce new parents to volunteer leaders and other parents.
• Assign parents to small committees so they can get to know each other better.
• Schedule social events for families including all family members, for example, a bowling night or picnic.
• Invite parents to county 4-H events

Foster "two-way" communication.

• Communicate with parents in person, through emails, and via newsletters.
• Provide parents with volunteer opportunities, events, and dates.
• Send out reminders.

Match parents' talents, interests, and availability with tasks.

• Learn about parents' skills, areas of interests, and availability.
• Discuss how parents may participate and benefit from helping with the youth program.

Be specific and timely.

• Ask parents for help in advance.
• Share the time and resources involved in completing the task.
• Parents will come back if they will feel that their contribution was appreciated, so thank them in a timely manner.

Be direct and consistent

• Ask for help and participation, in person and individually.
• Ask them to host a meeting at their home.
• Ask them to participate in the yearly planning session for program events and activities.
• Apply parents' suggestions and recommendations when possible.
• Learn about parents' perceptions and feelings with a survey.

Recognize parents' involvement and program members' success.

• Recognize both the youth and the parents for their efforts at an annual recognition event.
• Emphasize major accomplishments of youth and their progress at meetings throughout the year in front of parents.
• Thank parents for involving their child.
• Sincerely express your gratitude to parents for their involvement informally and in person.

References

4-H Manitoba. (2015). Leading youth: Getting Manitoba 4-H parents involved.

McKee, R. K., Talbert, B. A., & Barkman, S. J. (2002). The challenges associated with change in 4-H/youth development. Journal of Extension, 40(2), n2.

Purdue University. (n.d.). Working effectively with 4-H parents.

Radhakrishna, R., Foley, C., Ingram, P., & Ewing, J. C. (2013). Effectiveness of the 4-H program as perceived by parents of 4-H participants. Journal of Extension, 51(4), Article-4RIB8.

Reaman, K. (2009). Get parents involved in your 4-H club.

Scholtz, D., (2013). 4-H volunteer information series: Strategies to engage every parent. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H Youth Development.

Shriner, J.A. (2018). Involving parents in 4-H. Ohioline.

Torretta, A., & Bovitz, L. (2005). Affirmative approach to parental involvement in youth programs. Journal of Extension.

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. (2009). Parent involvement in 4-H Youth Development.