Family Studies
In this project you will learn about growing and maintaining a healthy family by learning about child development, building family strengths and managing a household. By focusing on the family, you will learn behaviors that develop friendships, develop respect for others and their belongings, understand the need for rules; express feelings in a positive way, cope with change and stress, learn physical changes of adolescence, study the effects of employment on family and lifestyle, and learn to use consensus and compromise.
With a focus on child development, you will learn how children grow and develop physically, socially, mentally and emotionally. You will observe how people express emotions, identify characteristics of friends, learn socially accepted manners and customs, and observe child behavior.
If you choose, you can learn more about consumer skills. Responsible financial management is an important factor in successful families. Learn to determine differences between needs and wants, develop a savings plan for a special goal, practice comparison shopping, learn to manage a checking account, recognize target advertising, identify consumer rights and learn the value of employment. Learning by Doing Partner with a peer to explore and discover solutions to today.
Things to Learn/Do in the Project
Family
Ages 7-9
- Learn their roles in their families
- Respect others and their belongings
- Learn how to express themselves emotionally
Ages 10-13
- Express feelings in a positive way
- Learn to cope with change
- Learn that choices have consequences
- Learn how to set rules for their families
Ages 14 and Older
- Study effects of employment on family and lifestyle
- Learn parenting roles
- Learn the differences in children's development
- Learn how to guide children's behavior
- Learn to use consensus and compromise
Child Development
Ages 7-9
- Learn their roles among their friends
- Learn how to express themselves emotionally
- Learn how to set boundaries for growth and support
Ages 10-13
- Learn how to make a self-care plan
- Learn which toys are developmentally and age-appropriate for youth
- Learn the importance of safety in the home
Ages 14 and Older
- Observe young children's behavior
- Understand effects of TV on children
- Create intergenerational relationships
Consumer Skills
Ages 9-10
- Determine differences between needs and wants
- Develop a savings plan for a specific goal
- Practice comparison shopping
- Learn to make change
Ages 11-13
- Identify personal values
- Learn money management
- Understand peer pressure
- Learn how to be a wise online shopper
Ages 14 and Older
- Understand and develop a budget
- Identify consumer rights
- Recognize target advertising
- Learn the value of employment
Project Materials
Reasonably priced materials are available for every project in Kansas 4-H. You can order the materials for your project online or contact your local Extension Office.
Consumer Skills (FS100)
- Consumer Savvy - The Consumer in Me (ages 7-10)
- Financial Champions - Money FUNdamentals, (ages 7-9)
- Financial Champions - Money Moves, (ages 7-9)
- Reading Makes Cents (ages 10-12)
- Consumer Savvy - Consumer Wise (ages 11-13)
- Consumer Savvy - Consumer Roadmap (ages 14+)
Child Development (FS101)
Family (FS102)
- Kids on the Grow - Growing with Others (ages 11-13)
- Kids on the Grow - Growing in Communities (ages 14+)
General Family Studies Resources
Project Leader Resources
Events and Activities
State 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences Judging Contest
When: September
Where: Hutchinson, KS
Award: Educational trips, scholarships
Awards and Recognition
County Level
Award: Medal presented at your 4-H Achievement Banquet
State Level
Award: Medallion
National Level
Award: $400 National 4-H Congress Scholarship
