Practical Parenting and Developmental Assets: Giving Gifts That Last A Lifetime to our Children Sharing the Developmental Assets Presented by the Professional School Counselors of Mountain View Elementary School Donna Cole and SarahTracy Featuring Toni VanSprewenburg, School Psychologist

What Youth Need to Succeed Working together to build assets

OVERVIEW What is the Search Institute? What are Developmental Assets? Why are assets important?

SEARCH INSTITUTE Non-profit organization Mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. 40 Developmental Assets – qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS Problem-centered approach –Anticipates the worst –Concentrates on kids at risk or in trouble –Reacts to problems after they happen –Stresses competition Asset-building approach –Brings out the best –Benefits all children and teens –Builds character, skills, and values that help prevent problems –Stresses cooperation and collaboration

Division Initiative: “Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth” & the 40 Developmental Assets Power, practical, and unified approach to the healthy growth and well-being of young children. At the heart of HCHY initiative is the framework of 40 Development Assets, which are the many positive experiences and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

The Purpose “Asset build” both externally and internally. “Asset building” is the term for purposefully helping youth experience more of the assets in their lives to promote good health and success.

Food for Thought Studies are showing building developmental assets with young people is at least as significant as any other factor in school success. The higher the assets, the higher the GPA.

Data on the Assets Development Assets - Pass It On - Search Institute\Fast Facts.pdfDevelopment Assets - Pass It On - Search Institute\Fast Facts.pdf Development Assets - Pass It On - Search Institute\The Power of the Developmental Assets.pdfDevelopment Assets - Pass It On - Search Institute\The Power of the Developmental Assets.pdf

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS Divided into 8 areas of human development »Support »Empowerment »Boundaries and expectations »Constructive use of time »Commitment to learning »Positive values »Social competencies »Positive Identity

Asset 1: Family Support Asset 2: Positive Family Communication Asset 3: Other Adult Relationships Asset 4: Caring Neighborhood Asset 5: Caring School Climate Asset 6: Parent Involvement in Schooling The Support Assets

Asset 1: Family Support Youth need love, comfort, encouragement, and support from their families. 70% of youth say they have this asset in their life

Asset 2: Positive Family Communication Parents communicate with children in positive ways and respect and respond to their needs. 30% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 3: Other Adult Relationships All youth receive love and comfort from at least one adult other than their parents. 45% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 4: Caring Neighborhood Youth have neighbors who care for and about them. 40% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 5: Caring Out-of-Home Climate Youth spend time in encouraging, caring environments outside the home. 29% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 6: Parent Involvement in School Parents talk about their children’s needs with caregivers and teachers, and help their children succeed outside the home. 34% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 7: Community Values Youth Asset 8: Youth as Resources Asset 9: Service to Others Asset 10: Safety The Empowerment Assets

Asset 7: Community Values Youth Parents and other adults in the community value and appreciate young people. 25% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 8: Youth Are Given Useful Roles Youth are included in age- appropriate family tasks and are given useful roles in the community. 28% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 9: Service To Others Together, parents and children serve others in the community. 51% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 10: Safety Homes, schools, childcare settings, and other environments are safe for children. 51% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 11: Family Boundaries Asset 12: School Boundaries Asset 13: Neighborhood Boundaries Asset 14: Adult Role Models Asset 15: Positive Peer Influence Asset 16: High Expectations The Boundaries and Expectations Assets

Asset 11: Family Boundaries Parents understand children’s needs and preferences, model appropriate behavior, and set age-appropriate limits and consequences. 48% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 12: Out-of-Home Boundaries Out-of-home environments provide age-appropriate activities and have clear rules and consequences. 53% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 13: Neighborhood Boundaries Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring and supervising children’s behavior outside the home. 49% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 14: Adult Role Models Parents and other adults model responsible, positive behavior to youth. Youth have at least 3 adult role models in their life. 30% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 15: Positive Peer Interaction & Influence Children’s friends model responsible behavior. They do well in school and stay away from risky behaviors. 65% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 16: Appropriate Expectations for Growth Adults have realistic expectations for children’s development. 49% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 17: Creative Activities Asset 18: Youth Programs Asset 19: Religious Community Asset 20: Time at Home The Constructive Use of Time Assets

Asset 17: Creative Activities Adults expose all youth to music, art, or other creative activities. As they mature, children begin to participate in these activities regularly. 20% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 18: Out-of-Home Activities Children spend one hour or more each week in extra curricular school activities or structured community programs. 58% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 19: Religious Community Parents make religious programs a regular part of family life. 63% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 20: Positive, Supervised Time At Home Children spend most evenings and weekends together at home in predictable, enjoyable routines. 52% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 21: Achievement Motivation Asset 22: School Engagement Asset 23: Homework Asset 24: Bonding to School Asset 25: Reading for Pleasure The Commitment To Learning Assets

Asset 21: Achievement Motivation Children are motivated to do well in school and other activities. 67% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 22: Children Are Engaged in Learning Youth are responsive, attentive, and involved in learning new things. 61% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 23: Stimulating Activity and Homework Parents, caregivers, and teachers encourage children to explore and engage in stimulating activities. 53% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 24: Enjoyment of Learning and Bonding to School Youth enjoy learning and care about their school. 54% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 25: Reading for Pleasure Parents and other adults read with children, make reading fun, and encourage participation. 23% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 26: Caring Asset 27: Equality & Social Justice Asset 28: Integrity Asset 29: Honesty Asset 30: Responsibility Asset 31: Healthy Lifestyle/Restraint The Positive Values Assets

Asset 26: Caring Youth are encouraged to help other people. 50% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 27: Equality & Social Justice Youth work to make their community a better place. 52% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 28: Integrity Youth act on their convictions and stand up for their beliefs. 68% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 29: Honesty Youth value honesty and act accordingly. 67% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 30: Responsibility Children accept and take responsibility for their decisions and actions. 63% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 31: Healthy Lifestyle Children learn to take care of their bodies, which includes developing healthy sexual attitudes and respect for others. 47% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 32: Planning & Decision Making Asset 33: Interpersonal Competence Asset 34: Cultural Competence Asset 35: Resistance Skills Asset 36: Peaceful Conflict Resolution The Social Competencies Assets

Asset 32: Planning and Decision Making Children learn how to plan ahead and make choices at appropriate developmental levels. 30% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 33: Interpersonal Skills Youth interact with adults and peers and can make friends. Children express feelings in appropriate ways. 47% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 34: Cultural Competence Children know and are comfortable with people of different cultural, racial, and/or ethnic backgrounds. 42% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 35: Resistance Skills Youth develop the ability to resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations. 42% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 36: Peaceful Conflict Resolution Youth resolve problems non - violently. 45% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 37: Personal Power Asset 38: Self-Esteem Asset 39: Sense of Purpose Asset 40: Positive View-Personal Future The Positive Identity Assets

Asset 37: Personal Power Children learn that they can influence their surroundings and have control over things that happen to them. 44% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 38: Self-Esteem Children report having high self-esteem. 52% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 39: Sense of Purpose Youth feel their lives have purpose and actively engage their skills. 59% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

Asset 40: Positive View of Personal Future Youth are hopeful and positive about their future. 74% of youth say they have this asset in their life.

The More Assets Young People Have, The More Likely They Are To: Succeed in school by getting mostly A’s Help friends or neighbors for at least one hour per week Value getting to know people of many racial/ethnic groups Be a leader of a group in the past year

Pay attention to healthy nutrition and exercise Avoid doing dangerous things Save money instead of spending it right away Refuse to give up when things get difficult The More Assets Young People Have, The More Likely They Are To:

In conclusion Developmental assets are the essential building blocks for young people’s achievement and thriving. Developmental assets are essential building blocks for young people’s avoidance of high-risk risk behaviors. All young people – from infants to adolescents, from whatever geographic location or family background – need developmental assets. Asset are built mainly through strong positive relationships. Everyone can build assets, including young people. It’s everyone’s responsibility to build assets.

In conclusion Asset building in a ongoing process. Young people need to receive consistent messages from a variety of sources. It’s important to build assets intentionally. Building development assets is consistent with the goals of both individuals and organizations. Using the developmental assets framework can help by providing common language for talking about what all the different parts of society need to do and by presenting an overview of many of the kinds of important things young people need to succeed.

What gifts do you want to give your child? Questions, comments?? Thank you. References Search Institute &