The Five Strengths
All families have strengths and building upon those strengths can help your family be better prepared for future challenges. Learn more about the 5 Strengths that research shows benefit every family and explore ways to grow them within your daily life. The 5 Strengths encourage you to…
- Take small but significant steps
- Involve your family and friends
- Try new things as your needs change
- Discover what works for your family
Assess Your 5 Strengths
Families are always changing. These tips can help you and your family to assess your 5 Strengths as your needs shift. Download the 5 Strengths PDF and try these tips:
Be Intentional:
- Learn about different aspects of the Five Strengths
- Explore and do things that build those Strengths
- Ask yourself regularly how strong you think each family Strength is
- Remember that Strengths ebb and flow as circumstances change
- Talk about the Strengths and share them with others
- Allow trusted friends and family to describe the family Strengths they see
- Encourage others to help you to strategize and stay motivated
Resources and Activities
Increase your understanding of the Five Strengths and how they apply to your family.
Learn
Protective Factors Infographics, conversation guides, and tools created by parents for parents.
More than 60 activities to help caregivers reach a deeper understanding and celebrate each of their strengths. Ask if it’s offered at a Family Resource Center near you.
Handouts of the website as a reminder or a resource to share with others.
Living the Protective Factors Playbook
A guided journal full of fun activities to explore your Strengths.
Explore
What a Week: Living the Protective Factors Coloring and Activity Book
30 coloring pages and activities based on five stories about kids and the Protective Factors or Five Strengths.
A fun way to build Strengths and encourage bonding between family members and friends using quirky questions that spark conversation and connection.
Living the Protective Factors: How We Keep Our Children Safe and Families Strong
57 short readings, questions and activities that guide parents in thinking about Strengths, especially when feeling stuck.
The Five Strengths are also called Protective Factors.
The Five Strengths are exactly the same as the five Protective Factors, except that the language of the Strengths is designed to be more family friendly. As you are exploring the Strengths further, you will find more information and resources if you search for the term “Protective Factors” outside of this website. You might also meet parents who are more familiar with “Protective Factors” than they are with “The Five Strengths”.
Helping Kids Understand Feelings
Social & Emotional Competence of Children
Parenting as Children Grow
Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Connecting with Others
Social Connections
Building Inner Strength
Parental Resilience
Knowing How to Find Help
Concrete Support in Times of Need