The 40 Developmental Assets and 4-H

As society has changed and grown over the years, so has the 4-H program. 4-H embraces a positive youth development model that incorporates developmental assets.

Many types of research have been conducted studying America's young people, and one of the most influential is Search Institutes's 40 Developmental Assets for adolescents.

Since 1989, Search Institute has studied over 2 million young people from 6th to 12th grades. They've analyzed data and synthesized research and were able to identify "concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. " (http://www.search-institute.org/assets/)

Since their initial research, they've also identified assets for early childhood and middle childhood.

The assets are divided into External and Internal assets. External include support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and constructive use of time. Internal include commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. Within each category are specifics. For example, under positive values are caring, equality, and restraint.

Take a close look at the whole list at Search Institute's website - http://www.search-institute.org/assets/. You'll see which of the assets your club already promotes, and you'll also see areas that you may want to emphasize more often.

When I look at the list, I'm struck with how much 4-H really does empower youth through the 40 developmental assets. Promoting 4-H is easier when we can show real-life results supported by real-life research!

Until next time,
Melody