Forty Ways Anyone Can Build Assets — Archive
 
  What are Developmental Assets? Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets® are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. To learn more about developmental assets, visit the Search Institute.
 
  40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents
40 Assets that Teenagers Need to Succeed
40 Assets that Elementary-age Children Need to Succeed
40 Assets that Preschoolers Need to Succeed
 
 

Many things you do — or could do — every day make a big deference for kids. How? By building "developmental assets" — 40 essential building blocks that children and teenagers need as a foundation for growing up. Research shows that these assets can have a positive impact on young people's lives. Support them with your love, care and attention. Caring, supportive relationships are vital to children and teenagers.

JANUARY - SUPPORT (External Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Freely give your children your love, affirmation and acceptance;
• Surround them with people who care; and
• Help them know that they belong.
JANUARY - SUPPORT (External Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Show courtesy to family members in public and at home.
• Invite caring, responsible adults to be part of your children's lives.
• Vow to say one encouraging thing to someone each day.
• Encourage passions and interests in others.
• Volunteer to be a mentor for a young person.
 
 

FEBRUARY - EMPOWERMENT (External Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Include young people as active participants in events.
• Encourage teenagers to take leadership roles in their community.
• Do simple acts of community service together.
• Give young people appropriate and important responsibilities within the family.
• Teach children and youth how to be safe wherever they go.
 FEBRUARY - BOUNDARIES & EXPECTATIONS (External Assets):
Suggested actions —
• When setting boundaries for someone else, explain the values behind them.
• Talk together about how to establish family rules and consequences.
• Treat all people, regardless of age, with respect.
• Be a positive role model in a young person's life.
• Respect teenagers' privacy, but take interest in their friends and activities.

 
 

MARCH - CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME (External Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Visit museums and libraries and attend plays and concerts with youth.
• Encourage teens to be involved in ay lest one hobby.
• Have a regular family night to do something fun together.
• Involve youth in decisions about family spiritual activities
• Volunteer in programs and activities for young children.
 MARCH - COMMITMENT TO LEARNING (Internal Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Ask a young person to teach you a new skill.
• Set daily homework goals.
• Organize a neighborhood book swap.
• Invite a teacher to have dinner at your home.
• Believe that all young people can learn.
  APRIL - POSITIVE VALUES (Internal Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Remember that mistakes are part of living and growing.
• Show care and concern for your neighbors by offering a helping hand.
• Write down what you believe. Post it where you will see it often.
• Be responsible for all of your thoughts, words and actions.
• Try new activities and take on new responsibilities.
APRIL - SOCIAL COMPETENCIES (Internal Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Have family meetings where children have a voice in decision making.
• Smile and say hello to at least one new person each day.
• Learn about your own cultural heritage and the heritage of others.
• Help youth practice coping skills when difficult situations arise.
• Learn and model peaceful ways to resolve disagreements.
  MAY - POSITIVE IDENTITY (Internal Assets):
Suggested actions —
• Dwell on what children do right instead of what they do wrong.
• Avoid comparing young people with each other.
• Let youth know you are proud of their talents, capabilities and discoveries.
• Listen when young people talk about their sense of purpose in life.
• Ask young people what they are passionate about.
 

JUNE
 
 
Be an Asset for Kids. . .

Act Now - Don't wait until you have more time, more skills, more opportunities. Take a fresh look at how you can use the little opportunities that come up in your everyday routines.
Share Your Strengths - You already have gifts, talents, interests and traits that can be valuable for asset building. Identify those and start sharing them with kids.
Stretch Yourself - It's good to start with things that fit into your everyday routine, but don't stop there. As you get more comfortable building assets, find ways to make it a more intentional, focused part of your life.
Experiment - Try something new.
Tell others about it - The more people know about assets and start intentionally building them, the better communities will be for kids.
 
The Pendleton County Board of Education assumes no responsibility for the consequences
stemming from the employment of these suggestions.
40 Assets is meant to be a tool to help our children succeed. It is offered here in that spirit.
All material Copyright © 1997, 2007 by Search Institute.