Youth & Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc.

40 Developmental Assets

Understanding Developmental Assets

The Search Institute identified 40 Developmental Assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. The eight asset categories Search Institute has found crucial in helping young people grow up healthy include:

• Support: Young people need to be surrounded by people, who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.
• Empowerment: Young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.
• Boundaries and Expectations: Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best.
• Constructive Use of Time: Young people need opportunities-outside of school-to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.
• Commitment to Learning: Young people need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.
• Positive Values: Young people need to develop strong guiding values to help them make healthy life choices.
• Social Competencies: Young people need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.
• Positive Identity: Young people need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel they have control over the things that happen to them

Here are some things YOU can do to build assets in your child:

·         Eat at least one meal together as a family everyday

·         Keep all family members (including you) from watching too much television

·         Ask your child for their opinion or advice

·         Be able to listen: try not to judge too quickly when discussing issues important to your child

·         Help your child spend time contributing to their communities. This could range from finding out about opportunities or simply figuring out ways to get them there

·         Have regular family nights to do something fun together

·         Visit libraries, zoos or museums-any place that gives a new experience

·         Challenge your child to do their best

·         Balance structure time with free playtime

·         Set guidelines and boundaries

For more information on developmental assets visit www.search-institute.org or call Youth & Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. 860-345-7498

Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc. is committed to enhancing child and youth development, enriching families, and promoting healthy Haddam and Killingworth communities.