Modern students can benefit from traditional character skills
The news is full of stories about political tensions from our nation’s capital to our state capitol, exposing a few adults who probably aren’t the best role models for students. When you add the potential for bullying, negative social media, plus other challenges growing up, I feel helping children develop strong character skills is more important than ever before.
The definition of character is a little different for everyone and each family decides the character traits important to them. While this concept goes back centuries, character education is alive and well in modern-day schools.
When it comes to character education, under Oregon law it’s: “the process of helping students develop and practice the core ethical values that our diverse society shares and holds important.”
Character education values such as virtue, kindness, and honesty, can be effectively incorporated into daily lessons about literature, history, and even math. While a child’s school plays a key role in building character, the most significant impact starts with and stays with, family and community.
Like many of us, my first character lesson was from the person who raised me, my father. He taught me the value of integrity and respect by always following through on what he said he would do, and doing the right thing, even if no one was watching.
There are several strategies parents can use to instill core values. Here are a few important characteristics to consider for the family list:
Exercise good judgment
Children develop sound judgment by learning to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong. Parents should assist their students in using reasoning to think about the consequences of their actions. Kids need to understand it’s OK to have feelings, however, they should stop and think before taking action on those feelings, such as lashing out in anger. Adults should keep in mind age-appropriate rules for children, helping them understand boundaries.
Practice self-discipline and patience
Helping children learn how to set realistic goals, and follow through on commitments, are keys to self-discipline. These are qualities that will help with many other characteristics such as good decision making.
Parents should discuss with their students how to break large projects into smaller ones and set deadlines for completion so they can experience a sense of accomplishment. Self-discipline requires perseverance and keeping promises. Patience is a bonus character trait because children sometimes need to learn tasks, like homework, come before playtime.
Demonstrate respect for others
That Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is still a useful character principle. This character rule encompasses children being considerate and courteous toward others, treating others fairly with tolerance regardless of their differences.
An important, yet simple, form of respect for students to practice is good manners. It could be as simple as opening doors for others, shaking hands in greeting, or saying “please” and “thank you.”
Set good examples
Children are always watching and learning from their parents and other adults in their lives. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to what students are soaking up for core principles. Parents don’t need a perfect moral code, but should show kids they are doing their best for their families and community. Setting clear expectations and holding students accountable for their actions is also essential for parents to do as character development is always growing.
Tap teachers and teachable moments
While parents usually decide the character traits they desire for their children, they often seek assistance from schools to reinforce those values. Families should talk with the child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year so they can work together on good character lessons.
Teachable moments in everyday life also offer families opportunities to discuss character development in young people such as empathy, courage, responsibility, and fairness.
When parents invest in teaching their children desirable character traits, it pays off in the long run. Research shows students who embrace character education ultimately experience better academic success and fewer behavioral problems, among receiving other benefits.2
Parents who travel on the character-building path with their children have their own opportunities to become people of good character. There’ll be times for enforcing limits, witnessing random acts of kindness, forgiving mistakes, and other things that test a parent’s character during parenthood.
Melissa Halter Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher, Oregon Connections Academy from Wilsonville. Enrollment is ongoing for the 2019-2020 school year. For information please visit: www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com or call (800) 382–6010.
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