Let’s face it… life and raising healthy, caring and responsible young people just isn’t as easy as it once was. It’s work. Hard work. Fortunately a lot has been learned over the past several decades about what events or experiences have long term, positive consequences for our youth. We know that in today’s world, families alone are only part of a young person’s influence. Our youth are influenced by their communities, their schools, media, friends and their peer groups. It matters whether or not they have positive activities and hobbies or are idle during their free time.
There are some very specific “assets” that benefit young people. Some of these assets come from within the young person (Internal Assets) and some come from the outside (External Assets). The following lists of assets takes a look at the “big picture” of what is helpful to your child and presents them by categories to help you identify where you can focus as you raise your child/children.
These Developmental Assets are also available by age group by going to www.search-institute.org.
SUPPORT
Empowerment
Boundaries & Expectations
Constructive Use of Time
Committment to Learning
Positive Values
Social Competencies
Positive Identity
Look at a category and review the assets listed. For example under SUPPORT, there is an asset about communication. With your child, each of you write an answer about “Family Communication” and then share it with each other. Another example is “Other Adult Relationships”. Each write down “who” and “how” other adults are involved in your child’s life. And so forth.
Make this an open exercise… no right or wrong answers. This can then lead to positive change within the family system and individual relationships.
To read more and review assets for specific age groups/development stages visit: www.search-institute.org.