Developmental Asset Article for March 2019
For the City Times
Submitted by Mary Ann Krems Portage County Alliance for Youth
As this season has brought so many days off of school, more time is spent with children by parents, grandparents, youth leaders, caretakers and those who work with youth. This time presents opportunities to have conversations with the youth at whatever age they might be from birth to age 18.
Youth need adults in their lives who know care about them and that is what asset building is all about. “Listening to their stories in their lives is KEY.”
One can go to www.search-institute.org to get a list of the assets you can copy and share with your youth, a few at a time to reinforce how those qualities can be developed.
The 40 Assets may seem daunting but talking a few at a time is easier. The assets are also divided into 8 categories which are support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, which are all external structures that create a positive environment for youth. Commitment to learning, positive values, social competancies and positive identity are all internal values, skills and beliefs youth need to fully engage with and function in the world around them
Keep the asset conversation going if you have any youth with which to share and make your city and county asset rich.