What Makes You Super
What makes one super? My generation grew up on Superman cartoons which focused on this character being super because he would battle crime, catch the bad guy and make the world a better place. Let’s keep in mind that Superman was affected by Kryptonite and Magic, he wasn’t overpowered, but had just enough ‘super’ which made him Superman.
My thought is to empower our own children with just enough ‘super’ in them with each of the Characters of Character. When we bring in fun techniques to teach different topics or issues with our children or students, they are more likely to listen with both ears! Teaching our own children vital core values is no easy task, and I’ve said it a million times, that as an adult we need to be role models. That while we think our own kids don’t listen to what we say or how we act or react in real life, the fact is that they are! So many times we won’t learn this or see the impact that this has on them until later in life. For example, have you ever thought to yourself after your child was extremely kind to another person, “how nice is this, and where did they learn that?” It was from your own actions that they picked up on. Or, have you ever wonders when your child spews out a swear word, “where in the world did you learn that?” one in the same, they heard you!
I can attest to the fact that when your own children grow up they will share stories of you that they remember when you said, or you did something. They remember! This is why it’s so important that we are intentional with our words and our actions. At a young age kids look up to others, or role models and why not introduce them to the Characters of Character to reinforce these vital core values? We have published many books to help you with this, and, I want to share with you some print outs to use with your children. I suggest the following:
Introduce the character and discuss what trait this character represents
Now, discuss the trait, tell stories about the trait. Tell your children stories about yourself when you didn’t listen, or you didn’t follow the rules, or you didn’t try harder. They relate to real stories and it makes you ‘human’
Share the good the trait has and also the bad, for example, if you don’t listen like Behavior Bear does….usually a parent has a plan in place when your children don’t listen. Maybe it’s on a behavior chart or a time out.
Remember that the goal is to reinforce this trait in your child. Encourage them to be SUPER! Use a rewards system if you need to, a sticker chart is a visual reminder which can be placed right on the fridge or a place your child will see it and be reminded to have good character.
Use a template to reinforce the trait, use as a Journal cover, a sticker chart and a coloring page
Behavior Bear print out here. Do’er Duck print out here. Friendship Frog print out here. Healthy Hippo print out here. Manners Monkey print out here. Respectful Rabbit print out here. Responsible Rabbit print out here. Self-Esteem Elephant print out here. Warm-Hearted Walrus print out here.
WHAT MAKES YOU SUPER?
Ask your kids these questions, (see below) create a Journal, build an activity board with these questions and allow your children to build off this, think about them and engage in the mission of being SUPER! Hey, why not bring out an old towel and make a Superhero cape!? Make a Superhero mask out of paper or purchase some Superhero masks and have fun with this issue of being super! Bring out the best in your child, engage them and encourage them to the best of their abilities, after all, they truly are SUPER!
I AM good at?
I like to?
I want to get better at?
My favorite Superhero is?
What makes that character your favorite Superhero?
Do you have those Superhero qualities?
What would you like your Super power to be? Why?
Who is a person that you know that you think is Super? Why?
I AM SUPER BECAUSE?
Build off of these! Be encouraging!
Did you know that Characters of Character has partnered with quite a few Children’s Hospitals where we donate Superhero character building activity boxes to? We do! They are in Illinois, Rush, Lurie’s, Northwestern Medicine in McHenry, Woodstock and Huntley, and Shriner’s. In Texas they are the Dallas Children’s Hospital and South Texas Children’s Hospital. In Tennessee they are the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, the Rainbow Kids Clinic in Clarksville and social workers in Clarksville who work with elementary students. If you have a suggestion, please reach out and lets work together to make a difference in the life of a child!
Learn more about Characters of Character NFP here! We encourage your support for what we do to make a difference in the life of a child.
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin