Asset Corner #24

December’s Asset Category:  Constructive Use of Time
The pace of everyday life varies depending on the activities young people participate in. These fluctuations are normal, even healthy. As long as young people don’t consistently have too much to do or not enough to do, they’re right on track. Problems arise when the balance begins to tip too far to one side or the other. Too much involvement can lead to stress or anxiety. Too little involvement can be a sign of depression or isolation. Ensure that young people constructively use their time for both fun and learning.

Constructive Use of Time Assets include:

            #17 Creative Activities – Young person spends 3 or more hours/week in lessons or practice in music, theater or other arts. (21%*)

            #18 Youth Programs – Young person spends 3 or more hours/week in sports, clubs or organizations at school and/or in the community. (57%*)

            #19 Religious Community – Young person spends 1 or more hours/week in activities in a religious institution. (58%*)

            #20 Time at Home – Young person is out w/friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights/week. (51%*)

(* The percent of youth who experience or have this asset in their lives.  Data based on an aggregate Search Institute sample of 148,189 students surveyed in 2003. The sample included students in 202 cities in 27 states.)

This column’s focus will be on…..Asset 20: Time at Home

Quality time as a family
Research shows spending quality time together as a family helps young people strengthen skills such as leadership, good health, and success in school. About 51 percent of young people, ages 11–18, spend no more than two nights a week with friends “with nothing special to do,” according to Search Institute surveys. Protecting young people from risky behaviors and helping them develop positive behavior is easier when you spend time together as a family.

Tips for building this asset
Simply start spending time together: First, choose an activity the entire family enjoys. Then, commit to do the activity together one evening a week. Decide if you want to continue the activity or try something different. Ask yourselves: How often do we laugh together? Have fun together? Enjoy being with each other?

Also try this

In your home and family: Cook dinner together, with each family member preparing a dish. Then, for a fun change, eat dessert first.

In your neighborhood and community: Invite your child’s friend and his or her family over for an evening of family time—movies, games, popcorn and other treats.

In your school and youth program: Avoid scheduling practices or meetings that conflict with the dinner hour. It’s important for families to eat together.

ASSET RELATED NEWS
Do you have a child/grandchild at Shiloh MS or in a Parma District elementary school? If so, ask if they were recognized during their recent Sundae Bar. And, if so, he/she should be congratulated, but if not, it presents an opportunity for a conversation as to why not.  The Sundae Bar is a CBS initiated motivational program hosted/funded at the end of each marking period by a number of CBS partners. If your school does not have the program, ask your principal to contact the district’s CBS Coordinator’s Office to get hooked up with a business partner.

SHARE YOUR ASSET BUILDING IDEAS AND/OR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET CONCEPT BY VISITING THE “ASSET CORNER” FACEBOOK PAGE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

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.