12.2: Developmental Assets
- Page ID
- 215527
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Developmental Assets play a huge part in ensuring that children grow up to be the best possible self they can be. Research has shown that children who are raised with many developmental assets are more likely to succeed in life and less likely to become involved in drug abuse, illicit sexual interactions and crime.
There are 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence children’s development. These qualities help children become caring, responsible and productive adults. Research shows that the more assets a child has, the more likely they are to thrive; these children tend to do better in school, be civically engaged and value diversity. The more assets a child has, the less likely they are to engage in high-risk behaviors. Having more assets has been shown to reduce the cases of alcohol use, violence, illicit drug use and sexual activity. These assets are both internal and external, and vary by child’s age. Some of these assets include: (Search Institute)
- Support (family support, positive family communication, other adult relationships, caring neighbors, caring climate in childcare and educational settings, and parent involvement in childcare and education)
- Empowerment (community cherishes and values young children, children are seen as resources, service to others is encouraged and children feel safe)
- Boundaries and Expectations (family boundaries, boundaries in childcare and educational settings, neighborhood boundaries, adult role models, positive peer relationships, and positive expectations)
- Constructive Use of Time (play and creative activities, out-of-home and community programs, religious community, time at home)
- Commitment to Learning (motivation to mastery, engagement in learning experiences, home-program/school connection, bonding to programs, early literacy)
- Positive Values (caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, self-regulation)
- Social Competencies (planning and decision making, interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and sensitivity, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution)
- Positive Identity (personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, positive view of personal future)
Developmental Assets are a positive influence in the environment. Assets help ensure the child becomes a positive, contributing member of society. It is the responsibility of ALL adults to help ensure the child is influenced with as many Developmental Assets as possible.
For lists of age-specific Developmental Assets, please refer to the links on the Further Reading page at the conclusion of this chapter.
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Further Thought and Discussion:
After learning about Developmental Assets (above, and in Further Readings), what can you do to personally impact children in your community to become positive, contributing members of society? Make a plan to help the children in your immediate circle; make a second plan to work with others to help those children generally in your community.
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