Developmental Assets are key building blocks that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. By incorporating them in to our parenting style, we can help our children grow-up healthy, competent, and less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as using drugs, alcohol or tobacco, fighting, bullying, or skipping school. The Search Institute has identified 40 concrete, positive relationships, experiences and qualities that have a tremendous influence on our youth. Their research shows that Assets promote the kind of actions (called thriving behaviors) that we hope for, such as, succeeding in school, helping others, valuing diversity, maintaining good health, resisting danger and delaying gratification. The 40 Developmental Assets are grouped into eight categories: Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, Constructive Use of Time, Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competency, and Positive Identity. We as parents, educators, concerned adults and members of the community can work together to provide the positive experiences that our youth need to grow-up to become competent, caring and responsible adults.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
One of the greatest gifts we can give our youth is our time. It is amazing how just a few simple acts can change a child's life, acts such as smiling at them, telling them we are proud of them, including them in our conversations, thanking them, greeting them by name, showing interest in what they do, having clear rules to keep them safe, turning their mistakes into opportunities to learn, helping them become good at something, sharing their excitment, being available to them, being trustworthy, laughing together, telling them why they are special, telling them family stories, praising them, telling them about your childhood, being honest, sharing your culture and traditions with them, taking their questions seriously, keeping your promises, giving them the benefit of the doubt, reading together, giving them choices, helping them help themselves, playing games together, keeping your sense of humor, sharing time together, and loving them no matter what!
These are just a few of the things that we can do everyday, to show our youth that we care about them and want them to grow up healthy and happy. Regularily showing a child that you care, in little ways, can and will make a big difference in their life. Try some of these simple ideas and see for yourself!
