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8 Building Blocks

for Healthy Child Development

What are the 8 Building Blocks?

Years of research have determined that there are a number of essential building blocks for healthy development in young people. The more we nurture and draw on these building blocks, the better equipped our kids will be to overcome obstacles and struggles and become healthy, caring, responsible and God-honoring adults.

External Building Blocks

External building blocks are what God has placed in a child’s environment to assist them in their growth and development. Not all of these building blocks will be immediately apparent as building blocks. Some may need to be cultivated before they bear fruit. Yet all of them have the potential to impact your child for life.

1. Support

Children need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.

  • FAMILY SUPPORT. The child has family support that encourages reliance on one another and on God.
  • POSITIVE FAMILY COMMUNICATION. The child consistently hears and sees he/she is valuable to the family and to God.
  • OTHER ADULT RELATIONSHIPS. The child develops adult relationships and seeks Christ-like help, outside of family.
  • CARING NEIGHBORHOOD. The child is surrounded by neighbors who care for, watch out for and encourage him/her.
  • CARING CLIMATE IN DAYCARE/SCHOOL/CHURCH ENVIRONMENTS. These environments are safe and protective.
  • PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN DAYCARE/SCHOOL/CHURCH ACTIVITIES. The child is able to make healthy connections in these environments because of his/her parents’ intentional involvement.
Learn More About Support

2. Empowerment

Children need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.

  • COMMUNITY VALUES CHILDREN. The child has healthy opportunities to learn and grow.
  • CHILDREN SEEN AS RESOURCES. The child helps out in the community and contribute to the health of the community.
  • SERVICE TO OTHERS. The child serves God and others in their families and communities.
  • SAFETY. The child is physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually safe in their families and communities.
Learn More About Empowerment

3. Boundaries

Children need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best.

  • FAMILY BOUNDARIES. The child understands the importance of limits based on Biblical principles and sticks to them.
  • BOUNDARIES IN SCHOOL/DAYCARE/CHURCH. The child is able to keep good boundaries in these environments.
  • NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES. The child is able to keep good boundaries in his/her neighborhood.
  • ADULT ROLE MODELS. The child is able to identify and connect with helpful adult role models.
  • POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS. The child is able to identify and connect with healthy peers.
  • POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS. The child is able to state healthy expectations for success and have healthy responses to failure.
Learn More About Boundaries

4. Constructive Use of Time

Children need opportunities—outside of school—to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.

  • PLAY AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES. The child is actively involved in play, recreational and creative activities.
  • COMMUNITY AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. The child has opportunities to use his/her God-given gifts and talents.
  • CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. The child regularly participates in faith-building activities.
  • TIME AT HOME. The child connects, contributes and helps out at home.
  • VALUES REST AND BALANCE. The child is able to say “no” in order to rest, recharge and honor the Sabbath.
Learn More About Constructive Use of Time

Internal Building Blocks

God equipped your child with an array of internal resources. These include the personal skills, commitments and values they need in order to make good choices, take responsibility for their life and become independent and fulfilled. These Internal Building Blocks function as reservoirs within your child. They can be filled or depleted, depending on the circumstances. Your job as a parent is to keep those reservoirs as full as possible.

5. Commitment to Learning

Children need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.

  • MASTERY AND MOTIVATION. The child understands the benefits of a growth mindset.
  • SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT. The child participates in activities that encourage learning.
  • HOMEWORK. The child understands and sees the benefits and rewards of homework.
  • BONDING TO SCHOOL. The child feels connected at school.
  • READING FOR PLEASURE. The child is exposed to high quality secular and Christian books and enjoys reading.
  • SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS. The child understands the truth of scripture and regularly reads the Bible.
  • GOD’S WILL THROUGH PRAYER. The child seeks God’s will for his/her life through regular prayer.
Learn More About Commitment to Learning

6. Positive Values

Children need to develop strong guiding values or principles to help them make healthy life choices.

  • CARING. The child cares for others with kindness as Christ cares for us.
  • EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. The child loves all people equally and supports justice for all.
  • INTEGRITY. The child understands the importance of upholding Biblical standards in life.
  • HONESTY. The child is honest and understands the consequences of dishonesty.
  • RESPONSIBILITY. The child follows through on tasks and obligations.
  • SELF-REGULATION. The child is able to manage his/her emotions in a way that honors God.
  • HUMILITY. The child puts others’ needs before his/hers.
Learn More About Positive Values

7. Social Competencies

Children need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.

  • PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING. The child seeks God in all planning and decision making.
  • INTERPERSONAL SKILLS. The child has healthy social interactions with others.
  • CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCE. The child has an understanding of, and respect for, cultural differences.
  • RESISTANCE SKILLS. The child is able to adhere to boundaries and limits.
  • PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION. The child resolves conflict in a way that honors God and scripture.
Learn More About Social Competencies

8. Positive Identity

Children need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel that they have control over the things that happen to them.

  • PERSONAL POWER. The child understands that his/her personal power comes from God.
  • SELF ESTEEM. The child finds his/her value in his/her special gifts and the way God made him/her unique.
  • SENSE OF PURPOSE. The child finds a purpose that fulfills God’s will for his/her life.
  • POSITIVE VIEW OF PERSONAL FUTURE. The child believes that there is hope in Christ and safety in God’s love.
  • IDENTITY AS A CHILD OF GOD. The child recognizes that he/she belongs to God.
Learn More About Positive Identity

The Impact of the Building Blocks

Research has shown that when children have more of these building blocks present in their life, they are:

  • More likely to thrive now and in the future
  • Less likely to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors
  • More likely to be resilient in the face of challenges

Next Steps for Your Family

Download 8 Building Blocks Printable PDF

Explore the fundamental building blocks for developing healthy qualities in young people. 

Click here

Take the 8 Building Blocks Assessment

The 8 Building Blocks Assessment will provide helpful insight into unique areas where you can help your child develop. 

Click here

Start the 8 Building Blocks Email Series

Dive deeper into the 8 Building Blocks through signing up for our Email Series to receive application steps. 

Click here
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