I am going to begin a series on developmental assets. Just what is a developmental asset you might ask? These assets are not the same as financial assets such as a home or hefty stock portfolio, but they are very valuable-to our children. Dictionary. com defines an asset as “a useful and desirable thing or quality.” Developmental assets are qualities that help our children grow developmentally with a focus on utilizing strengths and positives rather than focusing primarily on the problems individuals’ experience.
The Search Institute has done years of extensive research to find out exactly what makes kids tick and what positive qualities will help them to live happier, healthier lives. If you have read even just a few of my previous blogs, you will know that my desire for my children and other children is for them to grow up happy and healthy. Utilization of a developmental asset framework is one way to achieve that goal.
To further understand developmental assets; according to the Search Institute, their 40 Developmental Assets “Are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. The Developmental Asset framework is categorized into two groups of 20 assets. External assets are the positive experiences young people receive from the world around them. These 20 assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people’s time. External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development. The twenty internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people. These assets are about positive values and identities, social competencies, and commitment to learning.” The more of these 40 assets that a young person has the less likely he or she is to use drugs or alcohol, hit someone, have sexual intercourse as a teenager, skip school or threaten to physically harm someone.
There are 40 specific developmental assets, and I will discuss each one utilizing information from the Search Institute, personal knowledge and research, The Josephson Institute of Ethics, a book titled “What Young Children Need to Succeed” published by Free Spirit Publishing and other resources that will be noted in the individual blogs.
I believe that the many challenges of being a single parent family can prevent parents and other organizations from fully helping children to build up these positive assets to prepare them for adulthood and life. It is my hope through this series that I can introduce some resources and information to help other single parent families to learn and grow together.