The Top Ten Reasons to Connect with Kids

1.  Research shows the #1 way to “protect” kids is to make sure they are connected to adults in a variety of settings—at home, at school, and in the community.

2.  Kids need multiple connections.  Youth who are “involved” with their school, their academics, their after school programs, and the larger community are less likely to participate in risk-taking behaviors. 

3.  Kids want adults in their lives.  Eighty-seven percent of kids tell us they think it is important to have caring adults in their lives.

4.  Almost half (45%) said they need more adults they can turn to when they have a problem.

5.  Research shows even one caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

6.  Kids who are connected to at least three adults (in addition to parents or guardians) do better than kids who are connected to fewer than three adults.

7.  Only four in ten young people, aged 11 to 18, report having three or more non-parent adults in their lives.  More than half of our young people don’t have enough non-parent adults in their lives. 

8.  One in eight Suburban Ramsey County parents say their child does not have at least one caring adult (other than immediate family members) with whom the are comfortable enough to talk. 

9.  Kids who are connected are more:

• Engaged in school
• Likely to work harder
• Involved in positive activities in and out of school

10.  Kids who are connected are less:

• Socially isolated
• Depressed and anxious
• Violent
• Likely to abuse alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
• Likely to experience teen pregnancy

To help you get started, check out these free resources: 

Getting Started (includes links to many more resources) 

Conversation Starters (printable)

Fun things to do with kids (printable)