The 40 Developmental Assets are positive childhood experiences that help young people build a strong base for their future. It also helps them to recover quickly during hard times. It works like a scale. If you have more positive experiences and a strong base, you’re less likely to be abused or be an abuser.
The 40 Developmental Assets® Framework, created by the Search Institute, identifies the positive life experiences and qualities young people need in order to grow into successful, thriving and contributing members of their community.
The secret to helping young people grow into happy, healthy and responsible adults isn’t really a secret at all. You simply have to make a point to connect with them:
- Get to know them.
- Talk to them.
- Listen to and understand them.
- Help them.
- Build relationships with them.
As a caring, trusted adult, you are positioned to provide the building blocks young people need to succeed and reach their goals. With your help, young people can begin to understand themselves and the world around them.
Developmental Assets have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high numbers of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit positive values. However, most young people don’t have enough assets. The good news is we can change this because we all have the power to build assets in young people’s lives.
We invite you to navigate around our website to learn more about the assets and how to build them in the lives of the young people you know. For more information on the 40 Developmental Assets or to set up a training for your team, please contact our Prevention and Education Officer, Melissa Echerd at (317) 386-5061.
