Asset Building Ideas

Asset building is happening all around St. Albert. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach or teenager, everyone can build assets in St. Albert's youth! Take note of the following ideas and be a part of the sum of success for youth.

Youth

  • If you have a part-time job during the school year, limit your work schedule to allow time for schoolwork, family and friends and extracurricular activities.
  • Get involved in a social issue that interests you, such as civil rights, endangered species, hunger or the environment.
  • Remember that younger kids see you as a role model. Take time to say hi and talk to them, especially at school.
  • Let your friends know that you are available to talk. If they need it, help them get additional assistance from a counsellor, social worker, parent or other adult.
  • Get  involved in the community through volunteer work.

Parents

  • Regularly do things with your child, including projects around the house, recreational activities and service projects.
  • Involve your child in negotiating family rules and consequences for breaking those rules.
  • Recognize that children need more than just financial support. They also need emotional and intellectual support. Balance family time with other priorities like work, recreation and hobbies.
  • Get to know your children’s friends and their friends' parents. Talk to them about the 40 Assets.
  • Think of teenagers as adults in training.  Teach them how to do something practical, such as how to change a tire on the car, prepare a meal or create a monthly budget.

Schools

  • Train teachers and other staff in asset building and use the assets as part of performance planning and evaluation.
  • Recruit community groups and individuals to volunteer time to build assets in your school.
  • Clearly state rules for appropriate behaviour and consequences for violating those rules. Post them in visible places.
  • Do at least one thing each day to intentionally build assets.
  • Make a point to call parents with news of a student's positive, helpful behaviour.

Neighbours

  • Attend a game, play or event that a neighbourhood child or teenager is involved in. Congratulate the young person after the event.
  • Treat neighbours of all ages with respect and courtesy and expect them to treat you with respect and courtesy too.
  • If you have children, talk to other parents about the boundaries and expectations they have for their children. Discuss how you can support one another in areas that are similar.
  • Take time to play or just be with the young people on your block. Encourage them to talk and be sure to listen to what they have to say.
  • If you have concerns about your neighbourhood, talk with other neighbours about your feelings. If others share your concerns, gather a group to work on addressing them.  Even if you don’t solve all of the problems, you’ll strengthen your neighbourhood through the process.

Coaches

  • Always preserve a player's dignity. Sarcasm does not work well with young people; they may not always remember what you say, but they always remember how you say it.
  • Catch kids doing things right and be quick to praise a player’s efforts. The best feedback is immediate and positive.  
  • Create and maintain a positive atmosphere. Two top reasons why young people participate in sports are to have fun and to spend time with their friends. It’s not all about winning.
  • Care about the lives of the players on your team outside of the sport and show them that they are valuable people, as well as team members.
  • Encourage athletes to do well in school and motivate them to achieve.

Business Owners

  • Participate in mentoring programs that create positive interactions between adults and young people.
  • Offer youth internships with concrete learning opportunities, good supervision and plenty of support and guidance.
  • Acknowledge major accomplishments and milestones in young employees’ lives, such as graduation or athletic achievements.
  • Give young employees a lot of feedback. When you are not satisfied with their work, offer constructive ways that they can improve. Be sincere in your praise when young people have worked hard to earn it.
  • Post the 40 Developmental Assets in high-traffic areas throughout your business.