Kids Of Character

By Author: Ellie Dixon
Total Articles: 21
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We hear a lot today about the decline in moral standards, lack of respect for others, the culture of �me first� and about how some youngsters don�t seem to care for or listen to the more mature adults around them. Our society doesn�t have to be like this, though, and there is a growing movement to reverse these trends through Character Education. This is not an �easy answer,� but offers long-term ways to address moral, ethical, and academic issues that are of growing concern to everyone.

Character education is the nurturing of ethical, responsible, and caring young people by modeling and teaching good character through emphasis on universal values that are common to us all such as caring, honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, and respect for self and others.

Good character is not formed automatically; rather it is developed over time through a sustained process of teaching, example, learning, and practice � that is what I believe to be character education. Teaching good character is especially important today as our young people are exposed to many opportunities, ...
... but also dangers unknown to their parents and grandparents. They are bombarded with many more negative influences through the media and other external sources universal in today�s culture. Character education doesn�t have to be boring though, kids don�t like to be preached at and are much less likely to listen to and absorb messages they don�t enjoy hearing.

Parents and/or primary carers are of course the main, and most important moral educators of children�s character. But as the pressures of balancing work and home life impact upon quality time for families it�s more important than ever that caring parents feel enabled to deal with moral issues, and that they have the right tools to help them do so in a fun way. We all know that children can have a short attention span, and definitely prefer fun activities to being talked at in a serious, and, dare I say � boring fashion! Kids, like adults, learn in varying ways too, so it�s vital to communicate with them through varied channels, some prefer to read, others learn through activites whilst others like to watch and listen.

Schools are also very important in nurturing and developing children of good character, through their character education programs. But it�s absolutely essential that these messages are reinforced at home � after all children learn by copying others, so if they are aware that good character is important to their parents, they�re more likely to think of it as being important for themselves.

A person of character �. Is a �good� person � someone that kids will look up to, admire and try to imitate. *Understands the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do the right thing, even if it�s difficult. * Sets a good example * Is honest, trustworthy, reliable and caring.

Sounds tough, but educating the heart is just as important as academic education. It�s essential that you have the right tools and materials � books, games, activities, audio are all important ways of communicating with your children, offering various learning methods to growing your Kids of Character. I learned so much of this the hard way during my working life, being a parent myself and from my own mom, and now I�m so happy to be able to offer you a unique �Kids of Character� package � a collection of books and other activities which give you the toolbox you need to help your child grow the way you want. Just click on the link to my website in the resource box below.