Positive Youth Development
Positive youth development is an ongoing process to help youth meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood by promoting opportunities, support, and healthy relationships, and giving youth the confidence to reach their potential. Positive youth development takes place in families, peer groups, schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
The Search Institute has created a list of 40 Developmental Assets that identify the most important building blocks that youth need to develop into healthy, responsible, caring adults. These developmental assets are the foundations of positive youth development.
Key principles of positive youth development:
- Focusing on the positive
- Taking personal responsibility for making a difference
- Mobilizing the public as well as youth-serving organizations in the community
- Viewing youth as valued resources
- Maintaining a vision for the future
- Keeping hope that change is possible
How Can My Family Get Involved?
- At home - Treat your youth as an adult; teach responsibility.
- After-school programs - Look for programs with trained and expereinced staff, youth participation, and diverse cultural expereinces.
- Attend Children's Commission workshops to improve your parenting skills and resources.
Resources
National Youth Development Information Center
The Search Institute
Community Matters
Communities that Care - Developmental Research and Programs
Cornell University - Act For Youth
National 4-H Council
National Association of Partners in Education
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth
Partners for Children - United Way NYS
U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
What Kids Can Do
Youth development newsletters and listservs