Asset Development

What is Asset Development?

• Positive foundation for nurturing development in children and adolescents
• Asset-building needs to be a high priority in communities committed to children and adolescents
• Provides parents with some basic principles to use to make decisions and shape family life
• Helps parents be intentional about their choices
• Knowing that what they do can have a tremendously positive impact on their children’s lives

What Parents Can Do…

• Post the list of 40 assets on the refrigerator door.  Each day, purposefully nurture at least one asset
• Talk to children about assets and ask them for suggestions of ways to strengthen assets
• Model – and talk about – the values and priorities you wish to pass on to children
• Take time to nurture your own assets by spending time with supportive people, using time constructively and reflecting on your own values and commitments
• Regularly do things with children, including projects around the house, recreational activities and service projects
• Invite caring, trustworthy, principled adults into the lives of children

40 Developmental Assets

• Support…
  • Family support-Family life provides high levels of love and support.
  • Positive family communication-Young person and her/ his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).
  • Other adult relationships-Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
  • Caring neighborhood-Youth experiences caring neighbors.
  • Caring school climate-School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
  • Parent involvement in schooling-Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
• Empowerment…
  • Community values youth-Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
  • Youth as resources-Young people are given useful roles in the community.
  • Service to others-Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
  • Safety-Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.
• Boundaries & Expectations…
  • Family boundaries-Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts.
  • School boundaries-School provides clear rules and consequences.
  • Neighborhood boundaries- Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
  • Adult role models-Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
  • Positive peer influence-Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
  • High expectations-Both parent(s) & teachers encourage the young person to do well.
• Constructive Use of Time…
  • Creative activities-Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
  • Youth programs- Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.
  • Religious community- Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.
  • Time at home-Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week.
• Commitment To Learning…
  • Achievement motivation-Young person is motivated to do well in school.
  • School engagement-Young person is actively engaged in learning.
  • Homework-Young person reports doing at least 1 hour of homework every school day.
  • Bonding to school-Young person cares about her/his school.
  • Reading for pleasure-Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
• Positive Values…
  • Caring-Young person places high value on helping other people.
  • Equality and social justice– Young person places high value on promoting equality & reducing hunger & poverty.
  • Integrity-Young person acts on convictions & stands up for her/his beliefs.
  • Honesty-Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”
  • Responsibility-Young person accepts & takes personal responsibility.
  • Restraint-Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.
• Social Competencies…
  • Planning and decision making-Young person is able to plan ahead & make choices.
  • Interpersonal competence-Youth has empathy, sensitivity, & friendship skills.
  • Cultural competence-Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
  • Resistance skills-Youth can resist negative peer pressure & dangerous situations.
  • Peaceful conflict resolution-Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
• Positive Identity…
  • Personal power-Youth feels he/she has control over “things that happen to me.”
  • Self-esteem-Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
  • Sense of purpose-Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”
  • Positive view of personal future-Young person is optimistic about her/his future.

For More Information on Asset Building Key Resources – Visit: www.search-institute.org