University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources outlined on Apr. 28 the importance of supporting youth mental and emotional wellbeing during 4-H competitions, emphasizing strategies for adults to help young participants manage stress and develop resilience.
The organization highlights that while competition is a traditional part of the 4-H experience, it can create stressful situations for young people who may face performance anxiety, economic pressures, or disappointment from unmet expectations. The guidance aims to help adult volunteers and parents recognize these challenges and respond with empathy, listening skills, and encouragement focused on personal growth rather than outcomes.
The release describes various types of competitions within 4-H—goal-identified, standardized, and affiliative—and explains that younger children are discouraged from participating in highly competitive events until they are developmentally ready. “Positive feedback and reinforcement on their effort, persistence, attention to detail, creativity and other growth mindset oriented facets is encouraged,” the statement says. Adults are advised to validate youths’ feelings nonjudgmentally: “Empathy seeks to feel what another person feels… Accepting sad feelings sends the message there is nothing wrong with feeling sad.”
Other recommendations include helping youth prepare for possible setbacks by discussing scenarios in advance; modeling healthy coping strategies; encouraging intrinsic motivation such as pride in learning; praising character traits like flexibility or resourcefulness; and focusing conversations on skill development rather than external rewards. The organization adds that adults play a significant role: “Rather than criticizing the youth for not placing in the competition, the caring adult can tell the young person how proud they are of them… Oftentimes, simply listening is most helpful during these stressful times.”
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to its official website. It promotes sustainable practices designed to strengthen resilient ecosystems as well as economic vitality according to its official website. The organization operates nine research and extension centers across California’s diverse ecosystems according to its official website, conducts over 33,810 educational events annually with more than 18,420 volunteers involved according to its official website, manages Cooperative Extension services within the University of California system according to its official website, and has gained recognition for linking research directly with community needs according to its official website.
Looking ahead, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources encourages ongoing efforts by adults working with youth in competitive settings—emphasizing that nurturing resilience through supportive relationships can have lasting benefits beyond any single event.