What are Developmental Assets?
The Developmental Assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.
Read the list of assets
Watch the Introduction to Developmental Assets video
Because of its basis in youth development, resiliency, and prevention research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has become one of the most widely used approach to positive youth development in the United States.
Learn More about the Assets
- Where do the Developmental Assets come from?
- How many young people (grades 6–12) experience each asset?
- How do assets make a difference in young people’s lives?
- How many assets do U. S. young people experience?
The Power of Assets
Studies of more than 2.2 million young people consistently show that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive. Assets have power for all young people, regardless of their gender, economic status, family, or race/ethnicity, and are better predictors of high-risk involvement and thriving than poverty or being from a single-parent family.
See the research
Get Started Building Assets
There are many ways in which you can start building assets for the children and youth around you. Whether they’re in your family, school, or community, Search Institute has resources you can use to create a better world for kids.
- Developmental Assets Lists —Read and download lists of the 40 assets for different age groups.
- We Can Help —Find resources for parents, educators, youth-serving organizations, and other groups.
- Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth —Search for asset-building initiatives in your area.
- Developmental Assets Tools —Download free asset resources.
- Developmental Assets Research —See the research assets are based on.
- Search Institute Store —Browse asset-building books, posters, and other materials.
Watch this great