Raising Children of Character Presented by: Cindy Davis, School Counselor

What is character? Character is NOT hereditary, nor does it develop automatically. Good character is when a person knows the difference between right and wrong and strives to do what is right for the right reasons. Character is revealed by how one behaves when he/she thinks no one is looking. “Our character is revealed by how we treat people who cannot help us or hurt us”.

Character Counts! is a collaborative model of character education based on common vocabulary. Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

Ten Tips for Raising Children of Character 1. Put parenting first. “Parents are powerful people. The worst mistake they can make is to underestimate their influence.” 2. Review how you spend the hours and days of your week. 3. Model and teach your children good manners. “Children may close their ears to advice, but they open their eyes to example”.

Continued Tips 4. Develop an ear and eye for what your children are absorbing. “We judge ourselves by our best intentions and our most noble acts, but we are judged by our last worst act”. 5. Use the language of character. 6. Discipline with a loving heart.

Continued tips “Children develop character by what they see, what they hear, and what they are repeatedly led to do”. 7. Assign home responsibilities. 8. Get deeply involved in your child’s school life. 9. Make a big deal of the family meal. 10. Capitalize on the “teachable moments”. Give examples.