Write On With Characters of Character
We believe that the simplicity in our characters is that children relate to them. Isn’t that a great first step! Once you introduce the character to your child, have a discussion about the trait itself. What does it mean? What does it sound like? What does it look like? And, how does it feel? For example, when you say to a child, BEHAVE YOURSELF. What does that mean? Explain to them what you would like to see in them with good behaviors, perhaps being a good listener. What does it look like? Perhaps good behavior looks like your child playing nicely with their siblings or friends. What does it sound like? What does it feel like to have good behavior? Perhaps you’re not pointing out the negative qualities, instead you are encouraging them to have good behavior and that feels pretty darn good!
Let’s keep in mind that our children don’t come with instruction books and we as the parent/guardian must be in tune to their behaviors, their likes and dislikes, etc. When you find that balance, you can build from it in a positive and uplifting way. For example, if you’re working on literacy and teaching your child to read, find a book that will interest them. They will want to engage in activities when they have an interest in it. Your child might not like to go to the park because there are so many different activities and surroundings for them. Talk about what they are, spark an interest in one of them and build from that. Or, perhaps your child does not like to help in the kitchen, find a different activity for them to do that will help out in your home, organizing the bookshelf, folding laundry, vacuuming, etc. When a child feels included and appreciated they will want to continue to help out.
I spent a lot of years on the Reading Team and learned that when a child has no interest they get distracted, their behaviors shift and you find them way off task. Find something that interests them. Be creative! Be encouraging! Believe in them! Once you have talked about the character trait with your child, you might want to make a sticker chart with and for them to continue learning and embedding this trait in their daily habits forming good character. With summer just around the corner and more free time on our hands (for some, not all) I feel it’s important to have things readily available for a child to work on so they don’t lose their way or find trouble! Create a fun travel box/bag to keep in your car and fill it with activities they can do. Keep one in the family room they can do instead of nagging that they are bored. Keep one on hand and you won’t be sorry.
I have all of these! I added crayons, a pencil and purchased a Sheriff badge on Oriental Trading to add to each one. When we’re focused on a particular trait, well guess what, there’s a new sheriff in town! Let your child have fun, use their imagination, be creative and by all means, please listen to what they have to say! I also have all of the below and I added a ruler, crayons and a pencil. We take one with us when we go on walks and talk about things. Many times we just stop to measure the size of a leaf, or the stem of a flower, or how long the worm is we just came across! Again, creative, imaginative and fun! We all know that good character rules!
You can learn more about Characters of Character and their projects, their fundraisers, their books and more, here. Let’s make the world better, TOGETHER! Be sure to check out all our books on Amazon.
And, remember,
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin