Thriving Youth Asset-building Tips                                              

You can build assets every day, everywhere, as many times as you want.  Once you start looking,  you'll find plenty of opportunities that fit your time, energy, resources, commitment and comfort level.  Below are some suggestions for organizations and businesses to promote assets through "tips".  These are focused on the asset categories of "Support" and "Social Competencies".

• Ask your children about their favorite books.  Why do/did they enjoy them so much?  Share your childhood favorites and talk about a book you recently read that you enjoyed.
• Talk to your children about decision making.  share how you make decisions, weighing pros and cons, considering the consequences.  Try to empower them to make some of their own decisions.  Talk about what you may have learned from bad decisions.
• Ask your children if they have ever had to help resolve a disagreement between two or more friends. If so, how did they handle it?  Talk about  peaceful conflict resolution.
• Ask your children to describe their 3 best friends.  What qualities do they have in common and what makes them unique?
• Ask your children if they have ever had their trust broken.  How do they think it gets repaired?
• Get to know the other adults in your children's life (teachers, coaches, neighbors, etc.) Show appreciation for the positive adults in your child's life and talk to your children about your gratitude.
• Ask your children if they think they are role models for anyone.  Why? Be a good role model - remember that kids hear and see things more than you think.

                                           From the Search Institute resource "Pass It On"