40 Developmental Assets continued...
INTERNAL ASSETS 21-40
Asset #21 Achievement Motivation
The definition of Achievement Motivation is: Young person is motivated to do well in school.
Did you know 67% of Waterbury young people are motivated to do well in school? Talk to a young person about how a subject, such as Language Arts and Writing, are important in the job you do. Praise them for a job well done and encourage them to persevere when something is difficult by helping break the job into smaller tasks.
Asset #22 School Engagement
The definition of School Engagement is: Young person is actively engaged in learning.
Did you know 53% of Waterbury young people are actively engaged in learning? Talk with teens about what they are learning in school. Discuss how their studies relate to what’s happening in the world.
Asset #23 Homework
The definition of Homework is: Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.
Did you know 33% of Waterbury young people report doing at least an hour of homework every school day? Develop a homework routine including where and when to do it. Do your own paperwork or reading while your child is studying.
Asset #24 Bonding to School
The definition of Bonding to School is: Young person cares about his or her school.
Did you know 58% of Waterbury young people care about their school? Encourage teens to find one activity at school, helping them connect to other students and staff. If you need help, contact a counselor at your child’s school to identify activities of interest.
Asset #25 Reading for Pleasure
The definition of Reading for Pleasure is: Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
Did you know 21% of Waterbury young people read for pleasure at least three hours per week? Help young people find books about an area that interests them. Read a book that was made into a movie, then see the movie together and talk about how the two are similar and different.
Asset #26 Caring
The definition of Caring is: Young person places high value on helping other people.
Did you know 60% of Waterbury young people place a high value on helping others? As a family, help those around you. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway, make a meal for the family of a hospitalized friend or stop and give someone directions.
Asset #27 Equality and Social Justice
The definition of Equality and Social Justice is: Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
Did you know 61% of Waterbury young people place a high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty? Work together on a food drive through your congregation or a community group. Discuss with young people situations that seem unfair and actions you can take to make a difference.
Asset #28 Integrity
The definition of Integrity is: Young person acts on convictions and stands up for his or her beliefs.
Did you know 66% of Waterbury young people act on convictions and stand up for their beliefs? Talk to teens about their beliefs-and listen to what they have to say. Teens like to share their opinions.
Asset #29 Honesty
The definition of Honesty is: Young person “tells the truth even when it’s not easy.”
Did you know 68% of Waterbury young people tell the truth even when it’s not easy? Demonstrate the importance of being honest by returning money when a clerk makes a mistake or telling the real age of your child, even if it means a more expensive admission fee.
Asset #30 Responsibility
The definition of Responsibility is: Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility.
Did you know 66% of Waterbury young people accept and take personal responsibility? Don’t rescue your teen when he/she has done something wrong. Let your child face the consequences or make it right.
Asset #31 Restraint
The definition of Restraint is: Young person believe it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol and other drugs.
Did you know 54% of Waterbury young people believe it is important not to be sexually active or use alcohol and drugs? Practice with your teen how to address situations that require restraint. Talk with them about what they should do.
Asset #32 Planning and Decision Making
The definition of Planning and Decision Making is: Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
Did you know 30% of Waterbury young people report knowing how to plan ahead and make choices? The way to learn these skills is through practice. Encourage your child to help with household planning, menus, grocery shopping or how to manage cell phone minutes. Help them break larger projects into a series of steps.
Asset #33 Interpersonal Competence
The definition of Interpersonal Competence is: Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
Did you know 45% of Waterbury young people report having empathy, sensitivity and friendship making skills? When a teen has a conflict with a friend, offer to role-play some possible responses to help them think through next steps. When you see a young person demonstrating one of these skills, let them know you admire how they handled the situation.
Asset #34 Cultural Competency
The definition of Cultural Competency is: Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Did you know 54% of Waterbury young people have knowledge and/or comfort with people of different racial, cultural or ethnic backgrounds? Discuss images of people from different backgrounds from TV or newspaper. Talk about stereotypes and how to spot them. Identify differences you admire.
Asset #35 Resistance Skills
The definition of Resistance Skills is: Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
Did you know 43% of Waterbury young people report they can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations? As an adult you can help teens develop this skill by sharing examples of how you resisted peer pressure. Encourage them to express their feelings and opinions. This is not a one-time discussion. Look for opportunities to talk about the importance of resisting risky situations.
Asset #36 Peaceful Conflict Resolution
The definition of Peaceful Conflict Resolution is: Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
Did you know 31% of Waterbury young people report resolving conflict non-violently? Admit to a young person when you responded poorly to a conflict. Apologize and work out a new solution.
Asset #37 Personal Power
The definition of Personal Power is: Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.”
Did you know 33% of Waterbury young people report they have control over things that happen to them? As a parent, teacher or adult friend, ask a young person where they feel they have personal power. Create opportunities where they can choose what they will do. Support them when they see a problem they want to address.
Asset #38 Self-Esteem
The definition of Self-Esteem is: Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
Did you know 50% of Waterbury young people report having high self-esteem and boys are more likely to have this asset than girls? It is important when praising young people to avoid false praise and acknowledge them for specific things they have worked hard at.
Asset #39 Sense of Purpose
The definition of Sense of Purpose is: Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”
Did you know 55% of Waterbury young people report their life has a purpose? What gives your life purpose? Talk about it with a young person.
Asset #40 Positive View of Personal Future
The definition of Positive View of Personal Future is: Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.
Did you know 73% of Waterbury young people report being optimistic about their future? Ask a young person about their hopes and plans for their future. Share stories from your own life. Find examples of positive things that are happening in the world to counteract all the negative information young people hear and see.