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2002 Volunteer Leader Training Guide
Building Family Assets and Memories
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
Including Handouts
Introduction
• Target Audience
• Advanced Preparation
• Objectives
• Opening
Activity • Major Teaching
Points
• Additional Resources
Introduction
Often when we hear the term “assets” we think of money or wealth. Financial
wealth may have its advantages, but it is a different kind wealth that really
leads to happiness and success. It is the wealth of happy memories, the wealth
of family time, the wealth of opportunities to serve and the wealth of loving
relationships that lead to true happiness. These family assets give us strength
during difficult times and contribute to our emotional health and well-being. It
is these assets that make us truly rich.
Target Audience
- EHC leaders
- Intergenerational families (grandparents, parents, youth)
- 4-H leaders
Advanced Preparation
Objectives
- Help participants understand the concept of developmental assets.
- Help participants recognize ways to strengthen family relationships and
build family assets.
Opening
Activity: “Share the Wealth”
At the beginning of your presentation, give each participant a piece of play
money. Ask participants to write an activity or idea for creating positive
family memories or generating true family wealth on back of the play money.
Pause several times during the presentation and announce that it is now time to
share the wealth. Pass the play money and share ideas.
Major Teaching Points
Is your family rich? Are you making regular investments in areas that pay the
biggest dividends? When it comes to “family time,” many American families are
dirt poor. In the past few decades, the amount of time spent in family
activities has decreased significantly. In many of today's families,
children spend:
- more time in structured activities (sports, lessons to develop talents
and skills) and less time in unstructured free play or family activities.
- less time working together on family chores.
- more time participating in passive spectator activities.
- more time in front of a computer, a television or game system.
- less time eating meals together at the dinner table.
- more time alone or in non-family care.
- less time talking with parents or siblings.
If we’re not making time for our families, we’re missing out on a wealth of
opportunities. We are missing out on joy. And our children are missing what
matters most -- family.
Research conducted by the
Search Institute on more than a million youth
has identified 40 developmental assets that all children need to grow in an
emotionally healthy and successful way. Although everyone has a responsibility
to build assets in youth, it is in the family that most can be accomplished.
Look at the handout of the 40 assets. What can you do to make sure your children
or grandchildren are asset rich in the vital areas? What positive memories do
you have about your own family experience? If we’re proactive about our family
time and interactions in our families, we can generate a wealth of memories,
values, support, learning and life skills.
The shrinking of family time has been subtle. And oddly enough, in many
families it is not expanding workplace obligations that have intruded on family
time. Rather it is health spas, sporting events, church activities, school
functions and other well-meaning community activities. It is to our friends,
coaches, ministers and teachers to whom we have willingly given our family time.
As Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Although the abundance
of non-family activity may be well-intended, such activities should not come at
the repeated expense of family time. Often the choices we make are not between
good and bad activities, but instead between good family activities and good
community activities. If our desire is a family that is rich‰in memories and
support, then making time for family activities is essential. So share the
wealth. Build assets. Invest in your family.
On
Handout 1 - 76 Ways to Invest in Your Family, are a few of the many ways you
can invest time with your family. Select at least one thing you will do this
week to build assets in your family.
Additional Resources
- “The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties,”
William J. Doherty, Avon Books. ISBN: 038073205X.
- “Family Traditions: Celebrations for Holidays and Everyday,” Elizabeth
Berge, The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.: Pleasantville, NY.
- For additional handouts, materials, activities or training on
asset-building, contact “Raising Arkansas Youth” at (501) 671-2027 or your
local Cooperative Extension Service office.
Steven A. Dennis, Extension Family Life Specialist
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