Character Education for Kids

Start early trying to build character in your children. Focus on specific traits and find ways to help your child learn how to exemplify that trait. My son and I began working on character building when he started kindergarten. To date, we have targeted Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Trustworthiness, and Respect. Begin by explaining to your child what the character means to you and then find activities to teach it, at school and at home. Here's what we did!

Responsibility could be taught by having your child do assigned chores, teaching him or her to be dependable and taking care of personal things, taking care of other things when using them, and being a positive leader. Use a chore list so your child can see what his responsibilities are within the family. Add mom and dad's name to the list so he can see that everyone has a responsibility that helps make his house run like a tight ship.

Instill the character trait of Fairness by teaching your child to play by the rules, take turns and share, be open minded, and not take advantage of others. Also warn your children against blaming others carelessly. You can teach sportsmanship at home by allowing each family member a turn at picking the family TV entertainment for the evening. Kids can also take turns with any siblings sitting in the front seat of the car next to mom or dad. Dads can teach the kids how to make mom proud by experiencing new things and always trying new dishes that she prepares for dinner. Teach your kids sportsmanship in the community by showing them that clapping at plays or sports events lets others know that they gave it their best and their talent is appreciated. Kids should also be taught to wait their turn in the grocery line and can truly learn the meaning of sportsmanship by being on a team that is not always their first choice.