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Color Your Cloverbud World with a Kaleidoscope

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Finding an exciting activity for Cloverbuds they have not already done can be challenging. And it is important for Cloverbud activities to be fun and educational. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities are fun, and also engage Cloverbuds in learning about the world around them. One activity that combines education with fun is a handmade kaleidoscope. While it is a craft, it is also a science toy.

A kaleidoscope is a toy that has reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces are inside a tube. When the tube is rotated, light bouncing off the reflective surfaces creates changing patterns. The science lesson for this activity is discussing the reflection of light. You can share with your Cloverbuds that reflection consists of a light source and a surface. When the light travels through the tube it bounces off the reflective surface. The instructions for this fun science activity are simple and the supplies are easy to find.

You will need:

  • Empty potato chip can (one for each Cloverbud)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Hammer and nail
  • Clear glue
  • Color paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Clear contact paper
  • Glitter
  • Sequins
  • Markers

What to Do:

  1. Start with an empty, clean potato chip can (like Pringles).
  2. Roll a piece of aluminum foil and put it inside the can. Mark and cut off the excess. You may have to tack it down with glue.
  3. Cover the outside of the can with colored paper and secure it with tape. Decorate with markers, tape, and stickers.
  4. Have an adult use a hammer and nail to punch an eye hole in the sealed end (bottom) of the can.
  5. Using the clear glue, glue the sequins on the inside of the can lid. Then add glitter or additional embellishments.
  6. Use clear contact paper and add tissue and other embellishments to the sticky side.
  7. Cut the contact paper to fit the top of the can. You will put the lid over the contact paper, so make sure it fits.
  8. Put the lid on your kaleidoscope and head outside.

So, the next time you need a fun and educational activity for your Cloverbuds, try this STEM craft.

Photo Credit: Little Bins for Little Hands

Resources:

littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-a-simple-kaleidoscope-for-kids/

Successful Summer with Cloverbuds

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Summer is such a fun time of year for our 4-H Cloverbud members, but it can be a very busy and stressful time. With all the rush to jump into summer and start working on 4-H activities, members may feel overwhelmed. Families also have a lot of changes in job schedules and childcare with the transition into summer. Here are a few ideas for 4-H volunteers to consider when helping Cloverbud members positively jump into a successful summer 4-H season.

First, make sure Cloverbuds have a specific time at each club meeting to work on Cloverbud projects and activities. Having enough 4-H volunteers in place to help teach and guide the members will help meetings go smoothly and give the Cloverbuds a calm environment to have fun while working on projects and being with friends. Utilize the 4-H Cloverbud Volunteer Guidebook to plan club meetings.

A fun way to help our Cloverbud members succeed in 4-H at this busy time of year is with a 4-H partner or mentor. Utilize teens in your 4-H club and partner them with a Cloverbud member to talk, share, learn, and have fun. Knowing that at each meeting there is a time just to work with an older member and ask questions will create routine and structure for your Cloverbuds.

It is very important to explain to the members about Cloverbud events offered in your county and spend time at the meetings reviewing those events. This will allow the Cloverbud members to learn about the events in a smaller learning environment. A great example is project “show & tell” or interview. Many county programs offer a “show & tell” or interview during the junior fair to give Cloverbud members the opportunity to interact with an adult.  This helps Cloverbud members start developing very important communication and interview skills. Remember Cloverbuds are not competing. These events should provide a learning environment to have fun and develop new skills.

Try to hold a meeting at a place where county 4-H Cloverbud events will be held during the summer. For example, many counties offer Cloverbud opportunities such as day camp or special Cloverbud fair events. One location idea could be the county fairgrounds. Check with your 4-H staff or Senior Fair Board to see if your 4-H club could reserve a spot to hold a meeting at the fairgrounds. Getting the members on the fairgrounds to explore the buildings will help ease nerves and allow them a quiet time before the hustle of the fair.  Show your Cloverbuds where activities are held, where to go in an emergency, and where projects are located during the fair so they will feel safe and comfortable. Another fun way for kids to learn about a location, like the fairgrounds, is through a fun game like a scavenger hunt.  Volunteers and Cloverbud members can work together to find clues while exploring the fairgrounds.

Develop a 4-H Cloverbud packet with a calendar of dates and events. This will help your 4-H Cloverbud families know what is offered and designed for Cloverbud members in your club and county. A printed handout with dates and information will help Cloverbud members and families feel more informed. Trying to find important information online can be stressful for families.

Hold a parent meeting to explain events specific to your county. Many counties offer several events for Cloverbuds such as camp, project show and tell, club events, daily fair events, pre-fair practice sessions, the opportunity to display a project during fair, and more! These can all be overwhelming to the parents too! Make sure parents know where to find information for Cloverbud opportunities such as camp and other county events. Many 4-H programs have information posted on their county’s Ohio State University Extension website as well as a 4-H App. Taking the time to meet with the parents and explain the Cloverbud opportunities will help the members have a better experience. If you have volunteers available, it might be helpful to have a volunteer meet with parents for a few minutes at each meeting while the Cloverbuds are working on their activities. We also must remember many of our 4-H families are new to 4-H and have never experienced the Cloverbud program.

These are just a few ideas to help 4-H club volunteers make the transition into the busy 4-H season a success for our youngest 4-H members. Offering a wide variety of learning opportunities will help Cloverbuds and their families know what to expect and enhance their 4-H experience. Always remember to reach out to your county’s Ohio State University Extension staff for additional help and resources.

 

Helping Cloverbuds Explore Nature with Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Resources

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The temperature outside is warming up, trees are greening, flowers are blooming – it must be spring! This is the perfect time to think about getting our Cloverbuds outside and exploring nature! At this age youth learn through exploration and direct experience. Our natural world is the perfect setting for this exploration and learning to take place.

You might ask yourself why it is important to expose young children to nature. A study done by experts at Stanford University looked at articles and studies about the benefits of environmental education. These studies show that environmental education improves knowledge in science, mathematics, reading and writing as well as 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving and communication. Environmental education also improves emotional and social skills like self-esteem.

Another article from the University of Florida Extension talks specifically about connecting youth to nature during early childhood. The article talks about benefits to physical health like increased likelihood for physical activity and improved gross motor skills. The article also talks about cognitive development. It says that exposure to nature can decrease stress levels, promote longer attention spans and foster creativity.

Allowing children to explore nature can also build empathy for living beings and foster environmental stewardship. Children learn about the delicate balance of nature and are inspired to protect our planet. Research shows that children involved in environmental education participate in environmentally friendly behaviors such as recycling, reducing water use and participating in community cleanups.

Being outside with friends and family helps promote relationships and creates lifelong memories. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of tractor rides with my sister and cousins in my grandparents’ woods. My grandpa would stop the tractor and let us explore. We would swing on vines, climb on fallen trees and enjoy the time together.

There are many ways to get outside with your Cloverbuds. The Ohio 4-H Cloverud Program provides a variety of resources to help you. The Big Book of Cloverbud Activities which can be purchased through Ohio Extension offices or from Extension Publications is full of activities related around the natural world. The section about animals and environmental and earth sciences are a perfect place to start. The ant antics activity where Cloverbuds learn about ant body parts and make an ant from marshmallows and pipe cleaners is a fun activity.

This Cloverbud Connections blog is another place to search for fun activities. A quick search with the word nature resulted in several helpful articles. One by Extension Specialist, Theresa Ferrari gives several ideas for scavenger hunts. Lindsey VanGundy, 4-H Educator and Cloverbud Design Team member gives ideas for fall fun in her article, “Fall Fun with Cloverbuds”. Rebecca Supinger, who is also a 4-H Educator and leader of the Cloverbud Design Team, describes outdoor activities for Cloverbuds in her article, “Getting Outside with Cloverbuds”. Aubrey Fowler, 4-H Educator, also gives great ideas in her article “Time to Get Outdoors”

Another great resource for activities are Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Click and Do Activities. One we recently highlighted is called Nature Color Match written by Bruce Zimmer who also serves on the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Design Team. This activity lets Cloverbuds see all the different shade of a particular color in nature by using paint color chips to match colors. The sky has been in the news recently with the eclipse in April and the aurora borealis in May. It is the perfect time to use the Find the North Star activity to explore the night sky.

Reading to Cloverbuds is another great way to connect to nature and build literacy skills. Ohio 4-H Reading Adventures connect books with activities to enhance the learning. Several reading adventures feature books that relate to nature. Jan Brett’s book, The Umbrella, takes readers to a cloud forest. Activities for this book guide Cloverbuds and making a cloud in a jar and fun nature themes snacks. The reading adventure for the book, Diary of a Worm, by Dorine Cronin, feature an activity where youth measure gummy worms. This fun activity promotes math skills.

No matter what you choose to do with your Cloverbuds outside you are providing many benefits. Take a minute to explore all the resources Ohio 4-H has to help you.

 

Cloverbud Activities at the Fair

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Cloverbud members enjoy local county fairs and festivals just a much as our 4-H project members. Are you looking for some ideas to boost your Cloverbud activities?

Most fairs are open to 4-H Cloverbud members through a variety of exhibits. Children can exhibit work completed in their 4-H Cloverbud club and participate in noncompetitive activities.  All participation is noncompetitive and equal recognition is given to all participants. This does not mean that young children cannot be given advice or tips on how to improve their exhibit or work.

There are so many fun activities that can be geared toward our 5–8-year-olds. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Booth Exhibits
  • Show and Tell
  • Make & Take
  • Cloverbud Share Fair
  • Shoebox Floats
  • Cloverbud Revues
  • Stick Horse Exhibition
  • Veggie Car Event
  • Barn/Building Tours
  • Cloverbud Graduation
  • Puppet Shows
  • Reading Adventure Activities
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Game Day
  • Speaking or Pledge Events
  • STEM Activities

This quick video provides a sampling of some 4-H Cloverbud events offered around Ohio: https://youtu.be/ISMgdYuSrK4  We hope you find a new activity for your Cloverbud members!

Camp Season is Just Around the Corner!

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Are you looking for ways to increase participation in your county’s 4-H Cloverbud program? Consider holding a multi-day Cloverbud Day Camp with a wide range of activities designed to engage and excite your Cloverbuds.

Each year, Union County, Ohio hosts a two-day Cloverbud Day Camp. Due to the large number of Cloverbuds in the county, registration is limited to 75 Cloverbuds. Camp is held at the Union County Extension office.

The camp theme in 2023 was “In My Back Yard”. Campers were divided into groups with teen counselors providing leadership. Adult extension staff and 4-H volunteers taught the educational sessions.

Camper groups were named after Ohio birds—Blue Jay, Robin, Goldfinch and Cardinal. Each morning started with songs. Then the groups rotated through four educational lessons. Each lesson focused on animals. Cloverbuds learned about the different birds in Ohio and painted birdhouses. They went on an outside adventure to look for and learn about different animal tracks. Another session was about animal habitats and Cloverbuds created a terrarium in a baby food jar. The final session was a nature game show. They ate lunch outside and had rest time after lunch. The day ended with a big pool noodle game carnival where Cloverbuds used tokens to play each game.

Day two was an exciting day for the Cloverbuds. Camp organizers chartered two Ohio State University buses and took the Cloverbuds to

4-H Camp Clifton. When they arrived at Camp Clifton, they participated in a nature scavenger hunt. After the scavenger hunt, they ate lunch at the campfire circle. The adult staff made smores for each Cloverbud to enjoy. Cabins were used for rest time and changing into swimsuits. Cloverbuds swam in the pool all afternoon. They returned to the Extension office at 3p.m. and then departed for home.

Cloverbud Day Camp was a huge success, thanks to the teens and adult volunteers. Camp continues to grow each year. So, if you are looking for a way to expand your Cloverbud program, consider adding a Cloverbud Day Camp. Whether you host a one-day camp, a two-day camp, or even longer camp, it is a great way to create excitement for your county’s Cloverbud program.

Reading Adventure: The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal

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The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk is a new Cloverbud Reading Adventure that you can use with your Cloverbuds to help them understand the solar system and the importance of the sun. This adventure can be used anytime but is great paired with education about the upcoming solar eclipse.

This lesson teaches Cloverbuds about the solar system and the planets and other items it includes. You will explore why the sun is a big deal through a variety of hands-on activities designed to reinforce key science concepts. It will help your Cloverbuds to understand that the sun sits in the center of our solar system and holds it together. Without the sun, life on planet Earth would not exist.

The book does a great job of explaining why we have four seasons, the sun’s role in the water cycle, and how plants need the sun for photosynthesis. Plus, it gives us light and keeps us warm!

Check out this new Reading Adventure and discover why The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal!

Spring Forward to Learning and Living

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With the recent time change we sprung forward by moving our clocks ahead by one hour. We lost an hour of sleep but gained an hour of daylight or hopefully, sunshine! I am thankful for this extra hour of light.

As the weather gets warmer, our 4-H Cloverbud members are getting busy with Cloverbud club meetings and activities. It is a great time to promote learning and living using materials and curriculum through your county Extension office.

As you enhance the experiences of your Cloverbud participants remember to use all “H’s” of 4-H:

  • Head: help youth to think and learn by releasing their creative energy
  • Heart: tap into their natural emotions of excitement and curiosity
  • Hands: foster a “hands on” approach in all that we do with Cloverbud children
  • Health: model physical and mental health through movement and positive outlook

In closing, I would like to share a poem that I asked ChatGPT to create for this blog article (with my modifications) to illustrate how technology can be used to enhance reading and imagination.

Springtime whispers in the air,

A time for change, a time to care.

Clocks move forward, time’s bright song,

Nights grow shorter, days grow long.

 

With each hour that swiftly flies,

Underneath the bright blue skies,

Nature wakes with joyful glee,

Blossoms bloom on every tree.

 

So as we spring ahead in time,

Embrace the change, let your spirit climb.

For in the season’s forward leap,

New adventures, dreams to keep.

 

 

 

 

Solar Eclipse 2024

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Have you heard the news? On Monday, April 8, 2024 a solar eclipse will occur over North America with portions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada in the path of totality. What is the path of totality? That means the moon will completely cover the sun, temporarily blocking its light. This can lead to a drop in temperature, animals behaving like it’s nighttime and stars and planets might be clearly visible. Imagine how scared the first people to view a total eclipse must have been!

Roughly 35 Ohio counties will experience complete totality while all other counties will experience a partial eclipse. Introduce your Cloverbuds to the eclipse by using the lesson, Small Moon, Big Sun 1 This is a stand-alone lesson focusing on the concept of the eclipse and a discussion about the solar system. Concerned because you are not a scientist? No problem! The lesson includes the background information to help you explain the event to your Cloverbuds in language they can understand.

Begin your Cloverbud meeting with a discussion about what an eclipse is and learn about the parts of the solar system. There is a cool experiment to help your Cloverbuds understand how the moon, which is much smaller than the sun, blocks the sun during an eclipse. If you have available internet connectivity, you can share the video about gravity which explains why the moon doesn’t fall from the sky. End your meeting with a discussion about what your Cloverbuds think it would be like to live on another planet.

In addition to this lesson, there are some children’s books that can be used to reinforce the key concepts: The Sun is Kind of A Big Deal by Nick Seluk, Eclipse by Andy Rash. and Eclipse by Darcy Patterson. Look for a related Cloverbud Reading Adventure coming soon!

If your 4-H families are planning to view the eclipse, follow these Tips for Sun Safety.

For more information or for other eclipse activities, visit ohio4h.org/solareclipse.

ALL SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING RISKS BORNE BY THE VIEWER. Any and all risks associated by viewing the solar eclipse on any property operated by, or with glasses distributed by the Ohio State University, are borne and accepted solely by the individual taking such action. Instructions on how to use the glasses are printed on the inside of the glasses. Please read them carefully and follow the instructions exactly as written. You hereby release The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees and representatives from any liability, for any and all claims and causes of action for loss of or damage to property and for any and all illness or injury to your person that may result from or occur during your participation in the activity, whether caused by negligence of The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees, or representatives, or otherwise. See instructions on glasses before use.

Heart—The Second H

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Did you know? The month of February is American Heart Month. Along with the important job of pumping blood throughout our body, our heart is often associated with feelings and emotions. February is a great time to think about the second “H” in the 4-H Pledge and explore heart-themed activities with your Cloverbuds.

Science with Valentine Candy Hearts

Supplies

  • Three Plastic Cups
  • Conversation Candy Hearts
  • Marker
  • Water
  • Soda (clear soft drink or club soda)
  • Vinegar

What to Do

  1. Fill each cup with one of the following: water, soda, and vinegar.
  2. Label each cup so Cloverbuds know which liquid is in each cup.

Predictions (Hypothesis)

  1. What will happen to the candy hearts when they are placed in a cup? Will they float or sink?
  2. Ask Cloverbuds to predict whether the hearts will float or sink. Record their predictions on the chart.

Experiment time

  1. Drop the same amount of candy hearts in each cup.
  2. What happens right away? What happens after 15 minutes?

Discuss

  1. Were the Cloverbuds’ predictions correct?
  2. Can the experiment be extended or lead to more questions? What happens with hot versus cold water? Oil?

Heart Hop

Supplies

  • Large, full sheet hearts
  • Markers
  • Additional items—markers or crayons

What to Do

  1. Draw a large heart on a sheet of paper.
  2. You need one heart per Cloverbud.
  3. Write a motion or activity on each heart. Examples—10 toe touches, 5 jumping jacks, 3 Frog Hops
  4. Ask Cloverbuds to color or decorate the hearts as they enter the meeting.
  5. Place the hearts on the floor in a large circle.
  6. Ask each Cloverbud to stand behind one heart.
  7. While music plays, Cloverbuds walk around the circle of hearts.
  8. When the music stops, Cloverbuds complete whatever motion or activity is listed on the heart they are standing behind.

Rolling Hearts Craft

Supplies

  • Cardstock—white and pink/red
  • Foil or plastic container large enough for the paper to lay flat
  • Marble
  • Paint—pink, red, purple

What to Do

  1. Lay the paper flat in container.
  2. Place a small dot of paint in each corner.
  3. Lay a marble in container on top of paper.
  4. Cloverbuds should slowly roll the marble into the paint by tilting the container slowly back and forth.
  5. Once the paper has paint across much of the paper, take the paper out to dry.
  6. Once the paper is dry, Cloverbuds can trace and cut out hearts from the “marbled rolled paper”.
  7. Have the Cloverbuds glue the “marble rolled hearts” onto white paper and add a valentine saying or note of appreciation for someone else.
  8. Encourage Cloverbuds to add their own valentine saying to the artwork.

End your Cloverbud meeting with a heart-healthy snack and remind your Cloverbuds that it is important to keep this valuable muscle healthy by eating nutritious foods and exercising.

For more heart-related activities, check out Chapter 12, Heart to Heart: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Senior Living Center Residents, in the Ohio 4-H Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities. Purchase directly from Ohio State University Extension Publications or from your county Extension office, where Ohio 4-H club advisors, club members, and other Ohio residents get the best price.

Weathering the Winter Blues with Cloverbuds

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Most 4-H clubs begin meeting early in the year while some meet all year round. During the winter months it can be cold and dreary outside. During club meetings, Cloverbuds may be rambunctious, display more behavioral health issues, and not listen as well. You may be feeling more irritable and tired and find it harder to stay upbeat during club meetings. Why does this always seem to always happen during this time of year?

The “winter blues,” also known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects the mental health and moods of thousands of people. Many parents are affected by the winter blues, which in turn, affects children. Children are very observant and responsive to their environment. They look to adults to know how to respond during times when they aren’t sure how to feel. The younger the child, the more likely they will pick up on the moods of others.

According to Mental Health America National:

  • Approximately 5 percent of the United States population experiences seasonal depression each year.
  • Four out of five people who have seasonal depression are women.
  • The main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age, however symptoms can appear earlier.

Winter blues are most associated with reduced sunlight during the winter months. It is much colder than usual outside making it uncomfortable to get out and about. A lack of sunlight and exercise can seriously affect a person’s mood.

The good news is that Cloverbueds are incredibly resilient. To help beat the winter blues begin by finding little ways to expose you and your Cloverbuds to light and exercise. Go outside in small bursts. Open the blinds! You might surprise yourself by how much better you feel brightening a room with extra lamps or by finding out that being outside isn’t as bad as you think. Sensory walks (looking, smelling, hearing, feeling) with your Cloverbuds are an excellent way to do a quick burst of outdoor time. Also, don’t underestimate the power of laughter!

Other ideas to make your own sunshine and boost your mood:

  • Open the blinds to get direct sunlight in your meeting space or turn on extra lights during Cloverbud events.
  • Open the windows to let in some fresh air if you are able.
  • Get physical with your activities such as taking a walk or playing with your Cloverbuds at the park. Playing relay games inside at a 4-H meeting is also a great way to involve a large group and get the blood pumping.
  • Boost your mood with foods high in Vitamin D. (yogurt, eggs, meats, milk) Host a cereal snack party with your Cloverbuds to see which ones contain the most Vitamin D.
  • Listen to a new mood boosting playlist. Freeze dance is a simple, high-energy way to move about.
  • Help others by volunteering or simply helping a friend or family member. This goes right along with your 4-H club community service.
  • Smiles are contagious! Read a funny story (check Cloverbud Reading Adventures for ideas) to get the smiles and laughter started. (Cloverbud aged children tend to laugh hundreds of times a day, while adults average about 15.)

Be sure to reach out to others for support. This includes, planning, prepping, and carrying out your Cloverbud events. Good moods of others are just as contagious as the winter blues. Keeping your Cloverbuds active and laughing can go a long way to get them, their families, and you in better spirts throughout the long winter months.