Project Achievement Parent Tips

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Other helpful tips collected from county 4-H leaders for parents of 4th – 6th graders:

• Contact your county Extension office for help and information. Each county has a plan for preparing for 4‐H Project Achievement, has limited space for competition, and has a timeline that is important for you to know. Many counties have workshops or one‐on‐one instruction to prepare. Counties may go to 4‐H Project Achievement in the fall, winter, or spring.

• Guide your child in selecting a topic that is interesting to them. Help them find interesting, factual information about the topic – focusing on accuracy and credibility of source.

• Oral presentations should include an introduction, a body (content), and a conclusion. Note food labs, creative stitchery, and performing arts projects have different guidelines. Visit Project Achievement for 4th-6th Grade Webpage to view specific rules.

• Assist your child in including a statement in their introduction like “Hi, I’m ______ and today I will share ______.” It doesn’t have to be the first thing they say, but should be included.

• Encourage your child to put their speech on note cards and number the cards or put them on a ring in case they drop them.

• Most presentations are no more than 6 minutes. However, Performing Arts are no more than 4 minutes, but Cloverleaf no‐bake food labs allow one hour. Be sure to check with your local county Agent or staff to ensure your child is in compliance with the project expectations. You may also help your child prepare by utilizing the project scorecard

• Encourage your child to create a title poster or slide. Use it during the introduction and again in the conclusion. Thick poster boards stand up better on easels. A tri‐fold board may transport easier, but can be hard to read unless the letters are at least 2 inches high. Technology may be used, but should be provided by the youth. It is acceptable for others to assist youth in developing props.

• If using posters, assist your child in organizing them in reverse order and pulling from the back when presenting. It’s also important that they keep posters flat at home, and consider making a poster carrier out of cardboard, so they don’t bend and buckle at the competition.

• Guide your child in practicing with appropriate visuals and/or props. These items can help them illustrate their speech. They need to use the items ‐ not just make the table look pretty!

• Assist your child in practicing, practicing, and practicing!

Updated 7/2017 by Keri G. Hobbs and Victoria Cagle
Helpful tips compiled by Lori P. Bledsoe from County Extension Agents-Lee Anna Deal, Bulloch County, Cherry Hovatter, Spalding County, Lauren Healey, Oconee County, and Deron Rehberg, Grady County.