Asset Corner #9

Developmental Assets – 40 individual assets in 8 Categories….

September’s (and May’s) Asset Category:  Commitment to Learning It’s September already & a new school year is underway. So, now’s the perfect time to re-visit one of our four Internal asset categories: Commitment to Learning.  The assets associated with this category include:

            #21 Achievement Motivation – Kids are motivated to do well in school;

            #22 School Engagement – Kids are actively engaged in learning;

            #23 Homework – Kids do at least one hour of homework every school day;

            #24 Bonding to School – Kids care about their school;

            #25 Reading for Pleasure – Kids read for pleasure three or more hours per week.

I reviewed this category along w/its individual assets a couple of issues back (Observer Vol 2 Issue 5 available for download from the paper’s web site, www.parmaobserver.com).  And, since last month’s column focused on the External assets of Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, and Constructive Use of Time, I thought a discussion of the Internal asset categories would be appropriate.

Trust their judgment and they will too….
Young people are wonderful to be around. Not only do we have the opportunity to watch them grow up and mature, their words and actions often inspire and motivate us to be better people as well. But spending time with young people can also be frustrating, especially if you feel like the lessons you’re teaching and the values you’re trying to instill are falling on deaf ears. Be patient. Part of growing up is learning to be your own person with your own goals, dreams, values, and beliefs. By creating a supportive and caring foundation, you can allow the young people around you to do and be their best. Internal Assets include the second four asset categories that make up Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

Here are the facts:
Research shows that young people need to internalize certain values, skills, and beliefs to embrace, enjoy, and contribute to the world around them. Search Institute has identified the following internal assets as crucial for helping young people grow up healthy: Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, and Positive Identity.

Tips for building these assets:
Young people learn by example and repetition. Model and explain how your own behavior upholds the values and beliefs you—and your family—have. Encourage a lifetime commitment to learning by reading, attending lectures, and supporting education. Instill positive values by caring for others, and being honest and responsible. Develop social skills by interacting with a variety of people in different situations. Finally, help young people develop positive identities by allowing opportunities for them to hold leadership positions.

Also try this:
In your home and family: Regularly give your child jobs and responsibilities to grow her or his own competencies, including projects around the house and service and educational projects. Take turns planning activities to do as a family.

In your neighborhood and community: Make a point to participate in intergenerational activities with extended family and other neighborhood adults and families.

In your school or youth program: Work with parents, teachers, board members, students, and others to create a list of shared values for your school or youth program. Post the values and integrate them into lesson planning, external communications, and rules.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/assets or www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them.

Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

Who are the Asset Builders in our community? The Parma Area Family Collaborative coordinates all types of programs & services for our kids & families. Programs like the recent Movie Night at Byers Field, soliciting groups to help provide kids w/backpacks & schools supplies, coordinating a local Coats For Kids drive, linking families to needed area resources to include coordinating the efforts of area businesses, civic/service organizations & the faith-based community as required.  The Collaborative is truly an unique resource – our own local First Call For Help.