40 Developmental Assets
Our school district has invested in training for 40 Developmental Assets from Search Institute. These answer the question, “What do our kids have in their lives that help them grow to be healthy?” Rather than just being a new program that we have to squeeze in between 2nd Step and recess, this is just a way of looking at what we do at school to help kids grow to their potential. External assets are the things that kids have around them. Internal assets are based inside the students themselves. Some of the external assets we directly have here at school, others are based in the home and the community. External assets are:
- Support
- Empowerment
- Boundaries and Expectations
- Constructive Use of time
Internal boundaries include:
- Commitment to Learning
- Positive Values
- Social Competencies
- Positive Identity
Each of the 40 Developmental Assets falls under one of those categories. At Sunset Elementary, one activity we are focusing on is catching kids doing the right thing, which falls under the heading of “Caring school climate” in Support.
What are you doing at your school or in your personal life to promote kids growing up healthy?
