Asset Corner #79

July’s Asset Category: CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME All work and no play can be boring and stressful 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 Activites 
#18 Youth Programs 
#19 Religious Community 
#20 Time at Home 
            

Tips for building these assets

Playing and spending time alone is important for everyone. But so is structured activity with other people. Help young people find the right mix by offering them a variety of choices: music, art, youth programs, and spiritual organizations that help them tap into their creative energy, provide new experiences, and teach new skills. 

Also try this
In your home and family: Periodically, take an “activity inventory.” Check in with your children to find out: how happy they are with their different activities; if the activities they are involved in are stimulating and challenging; if they’re making friends with caring, thoughtful adults and peers; and if they’re learning new skills, and more about themselves.
In your neighborhood and community group: Help create a safe, inviting place where young people can meet for clubs or other structured activities, or just hang out, i.e.: a park, playground, or community center.
In your school or youth program: Provide constructive before- and after-school programs for young people who would otherwise spend the time unsupervised.

Several more ideas from the National Summer Learning Association (www.summerlearning.org) courtesy of my friends at Starting-Point (www.starting-point-org
#  Make Art:  Kids love art projects of every kind – but they rarely have enough time during the school year to draw, paint and construct as much as they’d like. Let the summer months be the time when your child discovers that he or she has the amazing ability to create through art. A local resource to try is the Parma Area Fine Arts Council. Go to www.parmafinearts.org & check out their Children’s Art Exploration program or call 440.888.4514 for information.
#  Have Fun With Numbers:  Find creative ways to practice math: ask your child to help tally the bill at the grocery store, calculate time or follow a recipe. Google “Fun With Numbers” & you’ll be amazed by the number of cool sites designed to turn kids on to numbers.
#  Read a Poem: Here’s the start of a silly, ridiculous, funny poem by Shel Silverstein:
“Millie McDeevit screamed a scream
So loud it made her eyebrows steam.
She screamed so loud her jawbone broke,
Her tongue caught fire, her nostrils smoked….”
Go to your local library or Google “Funny Poems for Children” to find thousands more like this. Read them aloud. Substitute words to make your own rhymes. Ask your child to describe the poem in their own words and what it means.

ASSET RELATED NEWS
If you’re a student or an adult considering a career change, the Tri-C Paralegal Studies Program will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, July 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Cafeteria of the Galleria on the Western Campus. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about the program, meet its faculty, program manager, practicum sponsors, alumni, current students and the President of the Cleveland Association of Paralegals (CAP).
Did you visit and buy an ear (or more) of fresh, roasted sweet corn at the Chamber’s Rib n Rock last month? If so, you should know that the proceeds from your purchase will stay in the community and help fund activities and programs of the Parma Area Kiwanis & Rotary clubs for the coming year. Both organizations appreciate your support, that of our major suppliers: the Day Dr. Giant Eagle, Gordon Food Supply & Epic Signs & Graphics & we look forward to the possibility of hosting the Corn Booth again next year.
Visit the Parma Area Family Collaborative web site at www.familycollaborative.com to learn about their “Summer Days” daily food & and activities program and a 5K fundraiser benefiting the foster & adoption program. Their next Mobile Food Pantry will take place on Thursday, July 14th and planning is already underway for the Collab’s now annual backpack/school supply give-away. To get involved in these or other Collab projects, contact Kira Karabanovs, Director of Family & Community Engagement, ph: 440.842.7022.- email: karabanovsk@parmacityschools.org.  
For low-income folks that qualify, the Islamic Center of Cleveland, located at 6055 W. 130th St. will be distributing free, fresh produce between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 30th. Please bring ID and your own bags/carts.

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/character, www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them. Or go here  http://www.parentfurther.com/  for great asset-based parenting tips, tricks, activities and ideas.