The 8 Asset Categories

Sometimes its easier to grasp the concept of 8 asset categories instead of 40 unique assets. This is an easy list to post on your refrigerator or bulletin board.

Support - young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate and accept them.

Boundaries and expectations - young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best

Commitment to Learning - young people need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.

Constructive Use of Time - young people need opportunities - outside of school - to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.

Empowerment - young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.

Positive Identity: young people need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel that they have control over the things that happen to them.

Positive Values - young people need to develop strong guiding values or principles to help make healthy life choices.

Social Competencies - young people need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.

The 8 asset categories were developed by Search Institute.
Visit their website to learn more about the developmental assets.