Let's Get Plugged In!

As we mentioned yesterday, January is Youth Mentoring Month! If you didn't have a chance to read yesterdays blog, take a couple of minutes and look back at the four components of youth mentoring that we are touching on this week. Today we are going to talk just a few minutes about being connected to your youth. Connectedness...is that really a word? Maybe "plugged in" would be a better choice of words.

Young people today need to belong, to be connected to family and community to thrive. A growing body of brain research indicates that we are hardwired to connect. The developmental consequences of social alienation hinder our abilities to learn, develop and interact with the world. Additionally, social connectedness enables us to experience an increased ability to formulate a greater scene of self identity and increased understanding of others in the world around us.

Youth need opportunities to experience connectedness is critical in providing a means to progress to a lifestyle that fosters security, hope, self-efficacy, and an overall sense of purpose. As parents and mentors, we might enlist youth to participate in community events that provide various different kinds of positive social interactions with both peers and adults. Let's get our youth "plugged in" into our communities!

Remember to come back tomorrow as we talk about the component of: Preparedness

HENRY/MARTINSVILLE 4-H YOUTH & FAMILIES WITH PROMISE
FAMILY DAY OUT FOR JANUARY IS THIS SATURDAY!  
Location:
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY  (Beside Martinsville YMCA)
DINO DAYS FESTIVAL
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 
MEET ON FRONT STEPS AT 9:45AM at the Museum!
(We will enter at 10:00 as a group.  No charge for you and your family, if you enter with group.  Please send email to laliberty@vt.edu  or call so we have an idea of headcount to be expected.  Please both Mentor and Mentee families respond.)

Have a wonderful week!

Lisa R. Laliberty
4-H YFP Mentor Educator
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Henry/Martinsville (276) 634-4653
City of Danville (434) 766-6761
laliberty@vt.edu

www.4-hyfpmentoring.blogspot.com