Learn about the 40 Developmental Assets: Part 1

Summary

The video explains the concept of developmental assets, which are 40 building blocks essential for positive youth development. These assets help young people build resilience and avoid risk behaviors. The assets are divided into external factors (such as relationships and community support) and internal factors (such as values and skills). The more assets a youth experiences, the greater their chances of becoming healthy and successful adults. The video emphasizes the role of adults and communities in fostering these assets, stressing that every young person needs multiple supportive adults in their life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Developmental assets are the 40 building blocks for positive youth development identified by the Search Institute.
• 😀 These assets help protect youth from harmful behaviors while promoting positive attitudes and behaviors.
• 😀 Developmental assets are categorized into 20 external assets (relationships, activities, structures) and 20 internal assets (beliefs, values, skills).
• 😀 There are eight categories of developmental assets: support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.
• 😀 The more developmental assets a youth has, the more likely they are to be successful and reach their full potential as adults.
• 😀 Youth with fewer developmental assets are at a higher risk of engaging in behaviors like substance abuse and violence.
• 😀 Less than half of all youth report experiencing 20 or more developmental assets.
• 😀 It is a shared community responsibility to help build these developmental assets, not the job of a single person or organization.
• 😀 Youth need at least three non-family adults to help build their developmental assets and support their growth.
• 😀 Simple community engagement activities, such as saying hello by name or participating in local events, can help build developmental assets in youth.

Q & A

What are developmental assets?

Developmental assets are the 40 building blocks identified by the Search Institute that contribute to positive youth development. They help promote healthy behaviors, attitudes, and protect youth from engaging in risky behaviors.

Why do some youth face more struggles than others during their teen years?

The struggles youth face are often related to the number of developmental assets they experience as they grow. Those with fewer assets are more likely to struggle, while those with more assets tend to thrive.

What is the difference between external and internal assets?

External assets refer to structures, activities, and relationships a young person needs, such as support and empowerment from adults. Internal assets are the beliefs, values, and skills that youth develop from their experiences with external assets.

What categories are the 40 developmental assets divided into?

The 40 developmental assets are divided into eight categories: support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.

How do developmental assets affect a youth's future success?

Youth with more developmental assets are more likely to be healthy, successful, and reach their full potential as adults. Conversely, those with fewer assets are at greater risk of engaging in problematic behaviors.

What is the relationship between developmental assets and risk behaviors?

Youth with fewer developmental assets are more likely to engage in risk behaviors, such as substance use and violence. Developmental assets help protect against these behaviors.

What is the role of the community in building developmental assets?

Building developmental assets is a community responsibility. No single person or organization is expected to build all 40 assets, but the collective efforts of adults in the community contribute to a youth's development.

How many adults should youth have outside of their family to build developmental assets?

Youth need at least three adults outside of their family to help build developmental assets. These positive adult relationships are crucial for their growth and development.

What are some examples of how adults can help build developmental assets?

Adults can build developmental assets by engaging with youth, such as saying hello to them by name, playing games with them, participating in cultural events, or involving them in local activities like sports or lessons.

What is the impact of having more developmental assets on communities?

The more developmental assets youth have, the stronger families, neighborhoods, schools, and communities become, as these assets contribute to positive behaviors and relationships.