Asset Corner #91

SHOW KIDS YOU CARE:  Help Them Become An Expert In Something. July’s Asset Category: CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME All work and no play can be boring and stressful The pace of everyday life varies depending on the activities young people participate in. These fluctuations are normal, even healthy. As long as young people don’t consistently have too much to do or not enough to do, they’re right on track. Problems arise when the balance begins to tip too far to one side or the other. Too much involvement can lead to stress or anxiety. Too little involvement can be a sign of depression or isolation. Ensure that young people constructively use their time for both fun and learning. This column’s focus will be on…..Asset #17 Creative Activities

The arts for fun and learning
Whether it’s Mozart or the Rolling Stones, Picasso or graffiti, most people like some type of music or art. Being creative—singing, playing the piano, drawing, or acting—can be fun, and helps young people improve basic and advanced thinking skills. Performing and creating works of art helps young people develop cognition (intellectual comprehension), cultural understanding, communication, and creativity. Learning that’s fun and worthwhile—what could be better?

Here are the facts
Research shows that young people who spend three hours or more a week in music, theater, or other arts are more likely to grow up healthy. Only 21 percent of young people, ages 11–18, do so, according to Search Institute surveys. It’s important to help young people find creative outlets that are fun, teach them about themselves, and provide a way to relieve the stresses of everyday life.

Tips for building this asset
Everyone is an artist in some way. Think of how you may create a new way to surprise someone on her or his birthday, hum along to the radio, dance when you’re in a good mood. These small bursts of artistic expression are important ways people communicate individuality. By bringing more art and music into young people’s lives, caring adults can help to develop another side of their personalities, talents, and skills.

Also try this
In your home and family: Play magnet art. Here’s how: Visit an art museum as a family. Have each person walk toward the first painting that catches her or his eye (drawing you to it like a magnet). Let each family member explain what he or she likes about the painting he or she chose.
In your neighborhood and community: Encourage the creative energies of everyone in the community by supporting your local community theater.
In your school or youth program: Integrate music into your regular curriculum or program. Start the day with a bit of classical music, followed at lunch by rock and roll or jazz, and end the day with opera. Discuss everyone’s preferences and invite students and participants to help select songs for the next day.

ASSET RELATED NEWS
If you’re looking for things to do w/your babies toddler/s or pre-schooler/s to age 5, visit www.cuyahogakids.org, a recently launched, family-friendly, mobile-friendly website showing activities at locations within a certain radius or anywhere in the county. You can look for events or activities or even child care. If you're an organization providing service to that youth cohort I'd encourage you to visit the site to make your organization and/or program is listed.
Came across the web site for the Scientific Learning Corporation whose stated mission is to combine advanced knowledge of how the brain learns and innovative technologies to improve English language and reading skills. Among other things is a link to their BLOG postings including a significant archive. A lot of really interesting information there…. www.scilearn.com/blog.
The Collab's (at Hanna Elem on Snow & Chevy Blvd) next Mobile Food Pantry will take place on Thursday, July 13th. During the afternoon distribution UH/Parma Medical Center, Community Health Nurses will be offering FREE blood pressure screenings and a representative from the Parma Health Ministry will be available to help folks apply for prescription assistance.
This year’s “Supplies for Success” backpack/school supplies drive runs from July 5th through July 31st. Visit their Facebook page for detailed information on how you can help. The need appears to exceed the 1300 backpacks distributed last year and, in this regard, donations would be really helpful & appreciated.
"Summer Days" at the Collab (Hanna Elementary) .... This FREE drop-in activity program for kids runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday - Friday through August 11th. There’s lots of fun and friends and FREE LUNCH! Stop by to check it out or call 440.887.4873 for information.
>>  Contact Bruce Chamberlin, the Collab's Family to Family Supervisor at 440.887.4881 or chamberlinb@parmacityschools.org for more information about these and other programs/services provided by the Parma Area Family Collaborative.
NOTE: The 2017 Parma Way 5K date has been moved from Saturday, June 17 to Saturday, October 21, 2017. The race will still be held at Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus.  Pre-Registration will end on October 13. For those who registered for the race on June 17, you will receive an e-mail to either defer your entry until October, or offer you a refund.  If you would like more information or are interested in being a sponsor of the Parma Way 5K, please contact Dawn Allar at allard@parmacityschools.org.
The County Library’s Summer Program Guide is now available at any local branch. Pick up a free copy for a complete listing of upcoming events and programs or to view online, go here https://tinyurl.com/y73rs3yq.
Are you looking for details on a youth-related, family-focused program, event or activity? Do you have one that you’d like to promote with a flyer? Visit either of these two pages on the district’s web site to find an event and/or upload your qualifying flyer. www.parmacityschools.org/flyers or www.parmacityschools.org/summer .
Go here http://www.recres.org/ to learn more about "Recovery Resources" and check out the attached post describing several of their youth oriented alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention programs.
Go here http://www.search-institute.org/blog/providing-support-to-middle-school-or-high-school-parents to learn how to help your child in their transition to middle or high school. The focus is on how families can use Search Institute's Developmental Relationship Framework to help in this transition. The Developmental Relationship Framework is SI's next evolutionary step picking up where the Developmental Assets Framework has left off. I would highly recommend a visit to this link.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/character, www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them. Or go here  http://www.parentfurther.com/  for great asset-based parenting tips, tricks, activities and ideas.