107: Assignment 1, "40 Development Assets for Child Development"

It is clear that after looking at the 40 Development Assets for Child Development, that educators can play a substantial role in helping students grow up as “healthy, caring and responsible” individuals.

In terms of external support, teachers provide “other adult relationships” that provide the child opportunities to develop nurturing relations outside of the family unit. The classroom is also a place where students are used as resources that provide children with a strong sense of value and belonging. Through school, we can also teach students the value of serving others and create those opportunities (food drives, etc). Teachers also are positive role models and set strong examples. We also can set high and powerful expectations for students in work and behavior that are positive.

Even internal assets can be influenced by teachers. Students must be taught many things before they are able to engage in them. One example is peaceful conflict resolution. Many children struggle with resolving problems without violence, because it hasn’t been modeled or shown to them. As a teacher, we can influence this. We can also build a student’s self-esteem and sense of worth and purpose. Every internal asset is something we, as instructors, are able to influence.

What the 40 Assets have shown me, is that teachers can play an instrumental role in the positive development of a child.