The 40 Developmental Assets

Developing Greenville's kids,
developing Greenville's future

At the Y, we see every child who comes through our doors or plays on our sports fields as the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, youth development is always at the top of our mind in our programs.

The Search Institute has done years of research on child development and identified what they call the 40 Developmental Assets that kids get from their family, schools, and community. The research indicates that the more of these assets a child has growing up, the more likely he or she is to thrive and have a successful life. The studies also show that children who are exposed to these assets are less likely to be violent, buckle to peer pressure, or engage in risky behavior like tobacco and alcohol use.

The assets aren't complicated to implement. They're everyday wisdom that encourage children to be independent and have a positive outlook on life. While many of these assets must be provided by the child's family, many more can come only from outside of a child's household.

Whether it's in our afterschool program, summer day camp, or youth sports, all Y programs naturally incorporate 16 of the 40 assets to ensure your child's success.

The YMCA after school and day camp programs are led by role models.1. Developmental Asset No. 3: Other adult relationships – Child receives support from adults other than his or her parents with the child experiencing a relationship with nonparent adults.

2. Developmental Asset No. 7: Community values children – Children are welcomed and included throughout the community.

3. Developmental Asset No. 9: Service to others – Child has opportunities to serve in the community with adult support and approval.

4. Developmental Asset No. 10: Safety – Parents and community adults ensure child’s safety while keeping in mind her or his increasing independence. 

5. Developmental Asset No. 14: Adult role models – Parents and other adults model positive, responsible behavior and encourage the child to follow these examples.

6. Developmental Asset No. 16: High expectations – Parents, teachers and other influential adults encourage the child to do his or her best in all tasks and celebrate their success.

Participating in youth sports is one marker for whether children will thrive.7. Developmental Asset No. 17: Creative activities – Child participates weekly in music, dance or other form of artistic expression outside of school.

8. Developmental Asset No. 18: Child programs – Child participates weekly in at least one sport, club or organization within the school or community.

9. Developmental Asset No. 19: Religious community – Child participates in age-appropriate religious activities and caring relationships that nurture her or his spiritual development.

10. Developmental Asset No. 21: Achievement motivation – Child is encouraged to remain curious and demonstrates and interest in doing well at school.

11. Developmental Asset No. 26: Caring – Parents and adults help child grow in empathy, understanding, and helping others.

12. Developmental Asset No. 29: Honesty – Parents and adults encourage child’s development in recognizing and telling the truth.

Kids get creative at Y after school and day camp programs every day13. Developmental Asset No. 30: Responsibility – Parents and adults encourage child to accept and take responsibility for his or her own actions at school and at home.

14. Developmental Asset No. 38: Self-esteem – Child likes himself or herself and feels valued by others.

15. Developmental Asset No. 39: Sense of purpose – Child welcomes new experiences and imagines what he or she might do or be in the future.

16. Developmental Asset No. 40: Positive view of personal future – Child has a growing curiosity about the world and finding her or his place in it.