What’s important for your Children

I wanted to let you know about the Search Institute’s website and bring your attention as parents to their “40 Developmental Assets” information.  They have different developmental assests for several age groups of kids, including 3-5 year olds, 5-9 (grades K-3), 8-12 (middle childhood), and 12-18 (adolescents).    Their website is www.search-institute.org and I encourage you to take a look at their latest research, done with over 148,000 children in a 2003 survey.

They started in 1958 when the Lutheran Church approved a study to identify the concerns and needs of youth for a new Lutheran youth program.  For it’s entire 52 year history, the Search Institute has been an innovator in promoting positive change on behalf of young people.

These assets are concrete, positive, comon-sense experiences and qualities essential to the health of young people.  These assets have the power to influence choices that young people make and help them grow as caring, responsible people.

I like how they break down the “assets” into external and internal assets, and list multiple categories within each.  They point to the importance of family support, positive communication, involved parents, boundaries, time at home, role models, etc. 

One thing I really like is the idea of having other adult role models for your children, in addition to yourselves.  It is important that you have other adults who model self-restraint, social skills, engagement in learning and healthy lifestyles for your children to see.  Obviously, who you spend time with has a big influence on your children…be sure these influences are positive.

The External and Internal Assests are further broken down into 4 sub-categories each.  Under External assest you have: Support, Empowerment, Boundaries & Expectations and Constructive use of time.  Under Internal assets you have: Commitment to Learning, Positive values, Social Competencies and Positive Identity.  There are a total of 40 assets for each age group, and the website gives an explanation and example of each one.  Good stuff.

Thank you for being and supporting involved parents.  www.dadsworld.com will continue to promote and support involved Dads, and help make it the norm to be a great Dad.  Have a great day!