growing rhubarb

Your Rhubarb is still too young to force. Wait until the summer, the crown will be stronger.
To force rhubarb is to put a cover over it i.e. bucket with no bottom in inverted over the top of your crowns with straw inside which excludes light and results in a slightly higher temperature, which gives you earlier growth. Shredded paper is not a good substitute as it will take up too much moisture and go mouldy, causing mildew on your rhubarb.

I agree it is too young yet. I waited til mine was 4 years old. I use a complete bucket filled with straw from January onwards. I only harvest about 6 stalks before letting it grow properly. Forcing 'saps its strength'.