Raising Kids of Character Presented by: Karen Lynn Poff, CFCS, CFLE Senior Extension Agent, Family and Human Development Introduce self Ask participants to introduce selves and tell what they wanted to learn today. Ask everyone to read through the mini-mental quiz.
What is Character? “Character is moral strength. A person of character does the right thing for the right reason. A person of character knows the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do what is right, even when no one is looking.” --Josephson Institute of Ethics Discuss character: Doing what is right even when no one is looking. Knowing the difference between right and wrong. Understanding how your actions affect others.
The Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship Show video. For each trait, ask group what they think it means. Be sure to include: Trustworthiness-integrity, honesty, reliability, loyalty. Respect-Golden Rule, manners, not judging others. Responsibility-duty, honor, do your best, don’t blame others, self-control. Fairness-consistent criteria, hear both sides, justice. Caring-compasssion, empathy, unselfish, generous. Citizenship-community, obey law, help others, play by rules (plane, grocery store), respect authority
T.E.A.M: A Strategy for Character Education Teach--Young children don’t necessarily know that honesty is better than dishonesty or that fairness is better than unfairness. You have to explain the attitudes and characteristics you want them to have. Enforce--You have to set limits and hold the child accountable for his or her choices. Rewarding good conduct is fine, but children shouldn’t come to expect automatic rewards for good conduct, for life is not like that. Discuss the T.E.A.M Strategy: Teach--Have to explain attitudes you want them to have. Transmit your values. Enforce--Hold their “feet to the fire.”
T.E.A.M: A Strategy for Character Education Advocate--A child should never have any doubt about what his or her parents believe is acceptable and what is not. Voice your views. Model--Act as if children are always watching, because they are, especially preschoolers. When a child hears a parent lie on the phone, the message is that the admonition to tell the truth has its little exceptions. Is that a good message? Discuss the T.E.A.M Strategy: Advocate--Encourage the right thing. Support the right thing. Model--The Grape Story, moral: children are always watching.
Teach Enforce Telling Stories Discussion Role-playing Games Problem-solving Analyzing media situations Using the “teachable moment” Natural consequences Logical consequences “Redo it Right” Reparations Rewards (Not Bribery) Discuss the T.E.A.M Strategy: Teach--discuss strategies in detail. Enforce--discuss strategies in detail.
Advocate Model Clarify your views Explain the reasons behind your views Encourage good decision-making Share information and examples Walk Your Talk Acknowledge your mistakes Explain the reasons behind your actions Encourage “overheard” conversations Inspire virtue Discuss the T.E.A.M Strategy: Advocate--discuss strategies in detail. Model--discuss strategies in detail.
“If we want our children to possess the traits of character we most admire, we need to teach them what those traits are and why they deserve both admiration and allegiance. Children must learn to identify the forms and content of those traits.” Read quote. --William J. Bennett
Sources: Let’s Teach Character: A Teaching Guide, by Michael Josephson, 1999. CHARACTER COUNTS!SM and Josephson Institute of Ethics web sites. http://www.charactercounts.org/ http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/ State sources and where to get more information. Ask participants to complete evaluation. Certificates.