Welcome to FAMILY ASSET BUILDING: Tools to Prevent Problem Behaviors!

By: Kathleen Hassenfratz, LPC

Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator, 533-6041

Points to Ponder

• 40,000 Americans are injured in the bathroom each year• The average computer user blinks 7 times/minute• Apples, not caffeine, are a more efficient way of waking up in

the morning• A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every

10 years• The average age of a first time smoker is 12• The average age of the first experimentation with alcohol is

10• Of over 200,00 students surveyed in grades 6-12, only 30%

reported knowing how to plan ahead and make healthy choices.

Quick Interview

Take a minute and interview your neighbor, asking:

When you were in school, how did you know that you were valued, supported, and/or seen as a resource?

When you were in school, what kinds of ‘problems’ were surrounding you and/or your peers?

It’s Different Today!

• We know more (brain theory)

• We can access more (social media)

• They are exposed to more…earlier (media)

• Their bodies change earlier (toxins, etc. creating early onset of puberty)

• Others?

Healthy Lifestyles Program

• In order to focus on kids’, staff and community health , LTISD established the Health Lifestyles Program in 2005.

• As an overseeing body of health programming, its charge is to integrate and synthesize all of the community's and district's programs into a cohesive unit to benefit the health, character development, and lifestyle choices of all students, or what is referred to as Coordinated School Health (SB19)

• Underlying the CSH, is a framework called:

"The Developmental Assets Approach" established by The Search Institute**

**For more information, see their website at www.search-institute.org.

Developmental Assets Framework

There are 40 building blocks for the development of youth.

Assets build protective factors which ensure academic success & the reduction of risky behavior.

The asset framework facilitates the integration of climate, relationships, boundaries, social competencies and values into academic achievement.

Asset rich programs, strategies and activities serve as the basis for prevention.

Power of Assets: PROMOTING Positive Behaviors and Attitudes

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Succeeds inSchool

ValuesDiversity

MaintainsGood Health

DelaysGratification

0-10 assets11-20 assets

21-30 assets31-40 assets

Power of Assets: PROTECTING Youth from High Risk Behaviors

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Drug use Sexual Activity Violence Alcohol use

0-10 assets11-20 assets21-30 assets31-40 assets

Eight Components of CSH

WHEN?…timing is EVERYTHING!

• Watching shows together that depict drugs, sex, bullying, lying, stealing, etc.

• Child and friend giggling in bedroom; find them looking at a naked woman in a magazine

• Post Office FBI posters• Seeing 2 men/women holding hands at the mall• Doing laundry, you find a condom in your teen’s

pocket• Driving in the car….

Keys for Teachable Moments

• Stay Calm• LISTEN to your child first; do not interrupt• Find out what your child already knows• Give factual information• If you share your values, explain WHY you have

your values• It’s okay to say, “I don’t’ know’, but forget to

follow up

More Do’s & Don’ts for KIDS(con’t gr. 3-12)

• Do learn how to say NO creatively:

Use Humor (‘Forget it! I”d rather play on a highway; it would be safer!)

Say NO and give a reason (cigarette smoke makes my breath stink)

Apply pressure yourself (No, and I thought you were smarter than that!)

Always have an ‘out’ (No, sorry, I can’t stick around; I promised my sister we’d go to a movie.)

Do’s for Kiddos (ages 3-6)

• Describe what makes you happy, sad, silly, mad

• Keep track of snacks… how many are healthful? Create your own snack recipe’ book

• Plant seeds, nurture them and watch them grow

• Turn on some music and dance; list all the ways you exercise your muscles

• Be the leader in your family; check the weather each morning and show what you plan to wear

• Describe what makes a good leader; are there any leaders in your life? Who? Why?

• Describe what makes a good friend; are you a good friend to others?

FAMILY’S ROLE CONTINUED: The Parent’s Do’s and Don’ts

• Do have clear expectations of behavior and communicate them (ie., can make some of this a family decision through ‘pow wows’)

• Do have shared family responsibilities (contribution makes kids feel worthwhile)

• Do Share yourself; share values, beliefs and plans

• Do communicate the NO USE message; stay aware of new drugs/new ways to impact kids by reading; practice what you preach

• Do have designated time for family fun, values, pride (1:1, family time, community time)

• Do walk the walk; show how to handle stress and solve problems

• Do monitor your children: get to know their friends, other parents, where they’re going, who they’ll be with, and set up regular check in times

Parent’s Do’s and Don’ts Con’t.

• Don’t use excessively authoritarian or permissive behavior (ie., drill sergeant and helicopter)

• Don’t avoid topics that make you squeam (ie., drugs, alcohol, odd friends, changing appearance, etc.)

• Don’t judge all the time; instead DESCRIBE (ie., name the quality…. “that takes ___________________.”

• Don’t forget you’re HUMAN and can make mistakes when parenting; just don’t give up!

• DO remember to intentionally build the strengths of your child (see Daily Checklist.)

Preparing for the Transition

• Introduce study skill techniques NOW (i.e., where to sit in class, how to copy notes, setting a ‘study time’.)

• Watch what YOU say (i.e., if you never like homework, they may pick up on your ‘tone’.)

• Directly teach AND practice refusal skills (i.e., cheating, stealing, peer pressure.)

• Directly teach AND practice assertiveness skills (ways to stand up for yourself if teased and how to get help if needed.)

• Meet their friends and their friends’ PARENTS• The Mall is not a safe hang out spot without parents (neither are

movie theaters.)• Monitor their computer time, games, emails, etc.• READ books for parenting a pre-teen (see attached reading list.)

The Wrap UP!!

• Children are exposed to outside influences use even when they are very young.

• What you say and do every day can affect your children’s future attitudes about life, food, friends, and school, and how they interact with family members and others

• Now is the time to help your children form healthy habits, attitudes and relationships!! REMBEMBER: Talking and Listening

Take Time Rules Role Model Peer Acceptance Monitor Activities