Taking the Demon Out of Family Living Demonstrations

What would you say are the most difficult aspects of giving a 
demonstration in your club?


If you are a 4-H member, you might say that coming up with a topic, 
finding time to practice, or dealing with nervous feelings would be 
the answer to that question.  If you are a leader, you might say 
that getting youth to give demonstrations, helping them prepare, 
and hoping they will do a good job are your major concerns.


Most Pennsylvania 4-H leaders point out that, while you can talk 
about demonstrations and actually show how to give one, it is up to 
the 4-H member to go home, prepare, and come back to a meeting with 
a topic, a demonstration, and made a poster in hand.


Why not use a demonstration kit?


What is a demonstration kit, you might ask.  It is a box or 
suitcase filled with containers of "bags" that contain articles 
useful in showing how to do a particular skill.  Choose skills and 
equipment that you think most of the members know how to do or have 
a special interest doing.  For example:  brushing teeth (include a 
toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss) or taking a photograph 
(simple camera, film and instruction book).

The state office has a kit that is available to 4-H clubs and this 
kit includes materials and models to create several types of 
demonstrations.  A handout sheet is also available with many ideas 
of putting your own kit together (a good junior leader project).  
Remember, the idea is not so much what is put into the "kit" but 
what items will encourage young members to practice giving 
demonstrations.

How do you use a demonstration kit?

First of all go through the basic parts of a demonstration:

1)  Ask the members of the difference between a demonstration and 
    an illustrated talk.  (Demonstrations usually show how to do 
    something with actual materials and equipment.  An illustrated
    talk may show how to do something using a poster, illustration,
    or a model).

2)  Ask members why they give a demonstration.  Emphasize that 
    demonstrations are given to share information and to show
    someone how to do something.  (It's really easy and fun, too!).

3)  Help them learn the 3 parts of a demonstration:  the
    introduction, the body and the conclusion.  (The "beginning,
    middle, and the end" for younger members).

In the INTRODUCTION, a member introduces themselves and their 
topic.  The purpose is to create interest.  Starting out with, "Did
you know that you can save $5.00 by making a pudding mix at 
home?..." is better than, "Hello, I'm Joe Cool and today I'm going 
to talk about pudding".

In the BODY of the demonstration, the member should expand on the 
topic as much as they can in the time available.  Trying to keep 
the audience interest by clearly explaining information and 
providing examples is important.

To CONCLUDE, the audience should be told only those things that the 
member absolutely wants to be sure they remember.  Just one or two 
major points is all that is needed.  Emphasize that reading a 
recipe is not a conclusion nor is just asking for questions.  A 
conclusion is important because it helps the audience remember the 
most important points.

Now what????

Once you've gone through the basic information about 
demonstrations, give each of the youngsters (or a small group) a 
container filled with "equipment", and tell them to develop a five-
minute demonstration to give to their peers at the meeting.

Tell them that they can use all or part of the equipment in their 
container and give them the option of using newsprint and felt-
tipped markers to make a poster.

In this experience, 4-H members will:

* give a demonstration without the hassle of first going home and 
  preparing one.  This is especially helpful to members who are 
  giving a demonstration for the first time.

* develop self-confidence and want to give more demonstrations.  
  Talking about something they really know about increases their 
  chances for success.  Studies show that people who know their 
  subject can talk for extended periods without becoming nervous.  

  NOTE:  It is only when the demonstrator becomes nervous that the 
  audience thinks about them!

* ease their fears about getting up in front of a group.  Since 
  everyone has to give a demonstration, no one is "on-the-spot".

* realize that even a topic, such as opening a food container, can 
  be talked about for 5, 10, even 15 minutes!  4-H members learn 
  that they have to narrow their topic when they plan to give 
  demonstrations.

Many leaders are surprised that even their shy 4-H members really 
enjoy this activity.

Try this too!  Obtain enough county demonstration contest judging 
forms for each member.  Have leaders and/or junior leaders in the 
club give a series of demonstrations and the 4-H members evaluate 
them.  4-H members have so few opportunities to judge and learn 
more when they view demonstrations from another perspective!


DEMONSTRATION KIT IDEAS

OPENING CANS
Several empty cans
Several can openers
Church Key can opener

SEWING ON A BUTTON
Model button, thread, needles
Small buttons, thread, needles
Instruction pamphlets

HOW TO MEASURE
Tape measure
Ruler
Gauge
Articles to measure

HAIR CARE
Comb/brush
Shampoo
Mirror
Bulletin on hair care

BRUSHING TEETH
Toothpaste
Toothbrush/Holder
Dental Floss
Chart on brushing teeth

SANDING WOODS
Wood to sand
Various grades to sandpaper
Block used to sand

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Updated 8/15/05