Developmental Assets Framework
The Developmental Assets Framework identifies 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development, helping them become caring, responsible, and productive adults.
For more than 30 years, Search Institute has studied Developmental Assets® in the lives of millions of young people across the United States and around the world. Research consistently shows that young people from all backgrounds do better when they have a strong foundation of these strengths in their lives.
Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, Developmental Assets® are the 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets are external, focusing on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities. The other half are internal, focusing on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people.
When young people have more Developmental Assets® they are more likely to thrive now and in the future, to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors, and to be resilient in the face of challenges.
For more, explore Search Institute's ongoing Developmental Assets® research.
Report / Brief
Developmental Assets Framework
Resource Audience
Resource Type
Read Time
External Assets
The supports, opportunities, and relationships young people need across all aspects of their lives.
Family support
Family life provides high levels of love and support.
Positive family communication
Parent(s) and child communicate positively. Child feels comfortable seeking advice and counsel from parent(s).
Other adult relationships
Child receives support from adults other than her or his parent(s).
Caring neighborhood
Child experiences caring neighbors.
Caring school climate
Relationships with teachers and peers provide a caring, encouraging environment.
Parent involvement in schooling
Parent(s) are actively involved in helping the child succeed in school.
Community values youth
Child feels valued and appreciated by adults in the community.
Children as resources
Child is included in decisions at home and in the community.
Service to others
Child has opportunities to help others in the community.
Safety
Child feels safe at home, at school, and in his or her neighborhood.
Family boundaries
Family has clear and consistent rules and consequences and monitors the child’s whereabouts.
School Boundaries
School provides clear rules and consequences.
Neighborhood boundaries
Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring the child’s behavior.
Adult role models
Parent(s) and other adults in the child’s family, as well as nonfamily adults, model positive, responsible behavior.
Positive peer influence
Child's closest friends model positive, responsible behavior.
High expectations
Parent(s) and teachers expect the child to do her or his best at school and in other activities.
Creative activities
Child participates in music, art, drama, or creative writing two or more times per week.
Child programs
Child participates two or more times per week in cocurricular school activities or structured community programs for children.
Religious community
Child attends religious programs or services one or more times per week.
Time at home
Child spends some time most days both in high-quality interaction with parents and doing things at home other than watching TV or playing video games.
Internal Assets
The personal skills, commitments, and values they need to make good choices, take responsibility for their own lives, and be independent and fulfilled.
Achievement Motivation
Child is motivated and strives to do well in school.
Learning Engagement
Child is responsive, attentive, and actively engaged in learning at school and enjoys participating in learning activities outside of school.
Homework
Child usually hands in homework on time.
Bonding to school
Child cares about teachers and other adults at school.
Reading for Pleasure
Child enjoys and engages in reading for fun most days of the week.
Caring
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to help other people.
Equality and social justice
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to speak up for equal rights for all people.
Integrity
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to stand up for one’s beliefs.
Honesty
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to tell the truth.
Responsibility
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to accept personal responsibility for behavior.
Healthy Lifestyle
Parent(s) tell the child it is important to have good health habits and an understanding of healthy sexuality.
Planning and decision making
Child thinks about decisions and is usually happy with results of her or his decisions.
Interpersonal Competence
Child cares about and is affected by other people’s feelings, enjoys making friends, and, when frustrated or angry, tries to calm her- or himself.
Cultural Competence
Child knows and is comfortable with people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and with her or his own cultural identity.
Resistance skills
Child can stay away from people who are likely to get her or him in trouble and is able to say no to doing wrong or dangerous things.
Peaceful conflict resolution
Child seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
Personal power
Child feels he or she has some influence over things that happen in her or his life.
Self-esteem
Child likes and is proud to be the person that he or she is.
Sense of purpose
Child sometimes thinks about what life means and whether there is a purpose for her or his life.
Positive view of personal future
Child is optimistic about her or his personal future.
Reproductions
No written permission is required by Search Institute to copy the Developmental Assets® for educational, noncommercial uses, provided that the list is unchanged and includes this copyright citation:
The 40 Developmental Assets® may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial uses only. Copyright ©1997 Search Institute®, 3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 310, Minneapolis MN 55413; 800-888-7828; www.search-institute.org. All rights reserved.
Adaptations
Additional Ages
The Developmental Assets® are written for an optimal age range of 12-18 years old. The Assets have been adapted to be more developmentally appropriate for young people in their specific age range. Click an age range to download the adaptation:
- 40 Developmental Assets® for Middle Childhood (ages 8-12)
- 40 Developmental Assets® for Children Grades K–3 (ages 5-9)
- 40 Developmental Assets® for Early Childhood (ages 3 to 5)
- Spanish: 40 Developmental Assets® for Middle Childhood (ages 8-12)
- Spanish: 40 Developmental Assets® for Children Grades K–3 (ages 5-9)
- Spanish: 40 Developmental Assets® for Early Childhood (ages 3 to 5)
Additional Translations
Communities around the world have created many additional translations of the Developmental Assets® Framework for use with the children, youth, and families they serve. They are provided as a service to the international network of Asset Builders. Search Institute has not verified the quality of these translations, and unless noted otherwise, the translations were based on the asset framework for adolescents. Click below to download a translation:
Acholi, Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Nuer, Russian, Somali, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
If you'd like to offer your own translation of the Developmental Assets®, please email us at info@searchinstitute.org.
Related Resources for School and Youth Program Staff
Activity
Relationships That Matter: 5 Keys to Helping Your Child Succeed
A workshop facilitator guide from Search Institute designed for schools and programs to engage with families.
Video
Modeling Strong Relationships Among Staff Members
A video showing how organizations use the developmental relationships framework to model strong relationships with each other and with young people.
Activity
Balloon Circle
Activity where participants collaborate to keep a balloon floating in the air to practice working together.
Related Resources for School and Youth Organization Leaders
Resources
Random Acts of Kindness (E2E)
Cultivate happiness in yourself and other educators.
Activity
Mapping Young People’s Web of Support
Help young people identify the people they know who can support them as they work toward their life goals.
Activity
Navigating by Our Stars
A downloadable activity where participants reflect and write about their deeply held values and write a message to a younger person to share their values.