5.7. SR 05-06-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY: Building Assets in Youth -~ASSET 1: Kids feel loved and in their families. Family Support supported 79% have this asset in their lives Ideas for building this asset: · AT HOME Families can celebrate the strength of this asset in our community. Parents can become educated in ways to show their love and support for their kids. Parent education classes, parenting magazines, church groups, extended family members, and community workshops/seminars are possible sources of information. Parents can learn how to stay close to their kids while recognizing that they need to give them the space they need to grow. · AT SCHOOL Schools can help educate parents on how to show love and support for their kids. Teachers can regularly communicate kids' accomplishments (academic, social, attitudinal, etc) to parents. · IN THE COMMUNITY Churches, service clubs, community organizations and others can sponsor and/or publicize parenting education events, family crisis hotlines, and family anti-violence efforts. ASSET 2: Parents as Social Resources Kids turn to their parents for advice and support. Parents are approachable and available when kids have something serious to talk about. 63% have this asset in their lives (The asset has 2 dimensions: Parents need to be available and approachable. Dogmatic and/or autocratic styles are less effective. How parents interact with their kids is almost more important than what is actually said. Kids may turn to parents in ways so indirect that the parents don't realize what the kids are looking for.) Ideas for building this asset: · AT HOME The concept of parents as social resources can be raised to the consciousness of parents. ECFE provides one way of accomplishing this. (ECFE currently reaches 51% of potential clients, which means that many other families could be benefiting.) Parents can make a point to let kids know that they value their opinions; ask them every day how things are going; and really listen to what they say. Parents need to give their kids space when they need it while letting them know that they are available when needed. · A? SCHOOL School personnel can serve as a model of approachable and available ~.~titudes. Schools can also be a channel through which parents learn about education and support opportunities. · IN THE COMMUNITY Child and youth development information can be provided to families through alternative venues, e.g. report card inserts, church bulletins, handouts at medical clinics, etc.. It would be helpful to include information on the growth challenges at various stages of life and positive ways for parents to guide their children through these stages. 2