The 4-H program looks to help youth grow into strong, successful adults. The 4-H Thriving Model is the theory of change that children go through as they participate in the 4-H program. We believe that youth thrive when they have the chance to develop and practice skills which lead to social, emotional, and cognitive growth. The 4-H Thrive Model uses a growing flower to depict the ways in which the developmental context sets the stage for growth in youth thriving and developmental outcomes. The result being long term outcomes in social, academic, and civic areas.
At the roots of the flower, 4-H provides developmental context through 4-H Programs. Looking to identify sparks, provide a sense of belonging, build relationships, and encourage engagement. The growing stem out of the soil works with youth thriving in a positive youth development environment, with an emphasis on healthy and collaborative relationships with adults. This time works on social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development. Youth will develop an openness to challenge and discovery, a growth mindset, hopeful purpose, prosocial orientation, transcendent awareness, positive emotionality, and goal setting and management.
Next, as the leaves grow out, we equate this to developmental outcomes as indicators of positive youth development. Outcomes such as, positive academic attitude, social competence, personal standards, connection with others, personal responsibility, and an inclination to contribute to their environments. Finally, the flower blossoms to demonstrate long-term outcomes of the 4-H Thrive Model. This blossoming growth presents as academic or vocational success, civic engagement, employability and economic stability, and overall happiness and well-being.
Kansas 4-H conducted an evaluation of youth programming in the summer of 2025, using the research validated 4-H Thriving Model Program Evaluation Instruments. Kansas 4-H youth members reported being in high-quality programs with belonging as the highest rated component. Programs are designed to give youth opportunities to explore their sparks, experience a sense of belonging, and develop supportive relationships.
Results of the study show reported growth before and after 4-H. Top areas of growth in thriving skills were goal setting and openness to challenge and discovery. While the greatest growth in thriving outcomes for youth was in contribution to others, and high growth in personal standards. We as Kansas 4-H strive to develop strong, healthy, positive, confident, and caring young adults that can lead our best tomorrow to an even better one.
Information comes from the 2025 Kansas 4-H Thriving Model Report and National 4-H Council.
For more information on 4-H Youth Development or K-State Extension call one of our offices at 620-793-1910 (Barton) or 785-628-9430 (Ellis), email 4-H Agents, Ben Sims, at benjam63@ksu.edu, or Tamara Robertson, at tarobertson@ksu.edu, or simply stop by the Great Bend or Hays office. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page and check our website cottonwood.k-state.edu for the most up-to-date information about Extension programming.
“Thriving with Kansas 4-H”