40 Developmental Assets® Children Grades K-3 (ages 5-9)

Search Institute® has identified the following building blocks of healthy development-known as Developmental Assets®-that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

 

External Assets

 

Support

Family Support-Family continues to be a consistent provider of love and support for the child's unique physical and emotional needs

Positive Family Communication-Parent(s) and child communicate openly, respectfully, and frequently, with child receiving with praise for her or his efforts and accomplishments.

Other Adult Relationships-Child receives support from adults other than her or his parent(s), with the child sometimes experiencing relationships with a nonparent adult.

Caring Neighborhood-Parent(s) and child experience friendly neighbors who affirm and support the child's growth and sense of belonging.

Caring School Climate-Child experiences warm, welcoming relationships with teachers, caregivers, and peers at school.

Parent Involvement in Schooling-Parent(s) talk about the importance of education and are actively involved in the child's school success.

 

Empowerment

Community Values Children-Children are welcomed and included throughout community life.

Children as Resources-Child contributes to family decisions and has opportunities to participate in positive community events.

Service to Others-Child has opportunities to serve in the community with adult support and approval.

Safety-Parents and community adults ensure the child's safety while keeping in mind her or his increasing independence.

 

Boundaries and Expectations

Family Boundaries-The family maintains supervision of the child, has reasonable guidelines for behavior, and always knows where the child is.

School Boundaries-Schools have clear, consistent rules and consequences and use a positive approach to discipline.

Neighborhood Boundaries-Neighbors and friends' parents help monitor the child's behavior and provide feedback to the parent(s).

Adult Role Models-Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior and encourage the child to follow these examples.

Positive Peer Influence-Parent(s) monitor the child's friends and encourage spending time with those who set good examples.

 

Constructive Use of Time  

Creative Activities-Child participates weekly in music, dance, or other form of artistic expression outside of school.

Child Programs-Child participates weekly in at least one sport, club, or organization within the school or community.

Religious Community-Child participates in age-appropriate religious activities and caring relationships that nurture her or his spiritual development.

Time at Home-Child spends time at home playing and doing positive activities with the family.

 

Internal Assets

 

Commitment to Learning 

Achievement Motivation-Child is encouraged to remain curious and demonstrates an interest in doing well at school.

Learning Engagement-Child is enthused about learning and enjoys going to school.

Homework-With appropriate parental support, child completes assigned homework.

Bonding to School-Child is encouraged to have and feels a sense of belonging at school.

Reading for Pleasure-Child listens to and/or reads books outside of school daily.

 

Positive Values 

Caring-Parent(s) help child grow in empathy, understanding, and helping others.

Equality and Social Justice-Parent(s) encourage child to be concerned about rules and being fair to everyone.

Integrity-Parent(s) help child develop her or his own sense of right and wrong behavior.

Honesty-Parent(s) encourage child's development in recognizing and telling the truth.

Responsibility-Parent(s) encourage child to accept and take responsibility for her or his actions at school and at home.

Self-Regulation-Parents encourage child's growth in regulating her or his own emotions and behaviors and in understand- ing the importance of healthy habits and choices.

 

Social Competencies

Planning and Decision Making-Parent(s) help child think through and plan school and play activities.

Interpersonal Competence-Child seeks to build friendships and is learning about self-control.

Cultural Competence-Child continues to learn about her or his own cultural identity and is encouraged to interact positively with children of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Resistance Skills-Child is learning to recognize risky or dangerous situations and is able to seek help from trusted adults.

Peaceful Conflict Resolution-Child continues learning to resolve conflicts without hitting, throwing a tantrum, or using hurtful language.

 

Positive Identity

Personal Power-Child has a growing sense of having influence over some of the things that happen in her or his life.

Self-Esteem-Child likes herself or himself and feels valued by others.

Sense of Purpose-Child welcomes new experiences and imagines what he or she might do or be in the future.

Positive View of Personal Future-Child has a growing curiosity about the world and finding her or his place in it.