"Fairness"

Fair is not giving every child the same.
Fair is giving every child what they need!

Taking action to build positive character qualities

Talk is one thing, actually being involved in challenging circumstances can be far more stretching. There are many opportunities to put ourselves in the path of challenging situations. It may require getting involved where there is risk of being hurt or experiencing discomfort. Reaching out to those who are ill or having difficulties takes courage and compassion. Challenging someone who is out of line can be risky as they are approached. Planning these kinds of strong character building activities will draw the family together and enable focus on character. Parents want children who will make smart choices in private and use good judgment when making decisions involving others. How do you do that? The PRC is here to help.

http://www.conquering-stressful-family-hurdles.com/character-traits.html

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Questions to discuss as a family:

1. Have you ever said "that's not fair"? How do you know when something is unfair?
2. Has anyone ever tricked or cheated you? How did that make you feel?
3. How should you treat people who are not fair to you?
4. What would the world look like if everyone was fair?

Source: http://goodcharacter.com/pp/fairness.html

"Citizenship"

"...we all have an obligation as citizens of this earth to leave the world a healthier, cleaner, and better place for our children and future generations.

~Blythe Danner

Taking action to build positive character qualities

There are many opportunities to put ourselves in the path of challenging situations. It may require getting involved where there is risk of being hurt or experiencing discomfort. Reaching out to those who are ill or having difficulties takes courage and compassion. Challenging someone who is out of line can be risky as they are approached. Planning these kinds of strong character building activities will draw the family together and enable focus on character. Parents want children who will make smart choices in private and use good judgment when making decisions involving others. How do you do that? The PRC is here to help.

http://www.conquering-stressful-family-hurdles.com/character-traits.html

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Questions to discuss as a family:

1. How can I leave the world healthier and cleaner?
2. How can I be a good neighbor to others?
3. What is teamwork and team spirit?
4. What would the world look like if everyone was a good citizen?

Source: http://goodcharacter.com/pp/fairness.html

"Trustworthiness"

Remember, you are your child's most important teacher. He or she will learn a lot about being
trustworthy from watching what you do.

Taking action to build positive character qualities

There are many opportunities to put ourselves in the path of challenging situations. It may require getting involved where there is risk of being hurt or experiencing discomfort. Reaching out to those who are ill or having difficulties takes courage and compassion. Challenging someone who is out of line can be risky as they are approached. Planning these kinds of strong character building activities will draw the family together and enable focus on character. Parents want children who will make smart choices in private and use good judgment when making decisions involving others. How do you do that? The PRC is here to help.

 
http://www.conquering-stressful-family-hurdles.com/character-traits.html

Family Discussion:

"How to be Trustworthy"

• BE HONEST : don't lie, steal, or cheat
• BE A GOOD FRIEND: and don't betray a trust
• BE RELIABLE : keep your promised and follow through on commitments
• HAVE COURAGE to do what is right, even when things are difficult

Source: http://goodcharacter.com/pp/fairness.html

"Being Positive"

"Children learn to smile from their parents"

- Shinichi Suzuki

  Wouldn't be nice if our kids were always upbeat, never grumpy, always getting along with others and sharing, and on and on and on into the land of milk and honey? Absolutely! We all want happy children. It all starts with building good character.  

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Family Discussion:

"How to be Positive"
 
• Compromise Instead of Argue:

"It's bed time. You can sleep with your blanket or book. Which do you choose?"
"I have time to take you to the park, if you have time to walk the dog."

• Begin Sentences with "Yes"

"Yes" you can have a cookie after dinner
"Yes" you can play a game when your bed is made
"Yes" you can go to the movies on Saturday

• Give Compliments

"You're great at brushing your teeth"
"You are an excellent sister "
" You look so cute today!"

Source: http://www.more4kids.info/389/raising-positive-kids/

"Courage"

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

- Walt Disney

We all want our child to stand up for themselves at school or when they're with their friends. Courage needs to be modeled early in a child's life so they can grow up to face their fears and follow their dreams!

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 Family Discussion:

"What is Courage"
 
• Courage is a way of life

"Do the right thing, even if others are not."
"Always tell the truth."

• Courage teaches us to face fears and challenges

"Don't be afraid to try something new."
"It's ok to make mistakes."

• Courage helps us be true to ourselves

"Don't give in to negative peer pressure."

Source: http://www.twelvegifts.com/lessons/Lesson_4.html

http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/beverlywoodsES/Documents/Marchcou/rage.pdf

"Be a buddy, not a bully!"

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."

~Douglas Pagles

 
Be a friend to someone who is being bullied. Be a buddy on school grounds, get together after school, include them in activities, walk home with them and sit with them on the bus. Being an understanding and supportive friend means so much. Show a kid who is being bullied that you care about them!

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Family Discussion:

"How to be a buddy"
 
•  Stand up for the person being bullied

"It's not funny"
"Please stop teasing"
"Leave him alone"

•  Teach your child strategies to deal with bullies "Just walk away"

"Ignoring a bully will likely make them stop"
"Tell an adult right away when you are bullied"
"Always use the buddy system"

Source: www.stompoutbullying.org, www.eyesonbullying.org

"Patience"

"Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself."

- Saint Francis de Sales

Patience is a virtue that can be instilled in children. Patience teaches children the value of delaying gratification, a skill necessary for maturity. Patience can help develop the ability to think through and resolve problems; it can counteract impulsivity and acting out behaviors. The value of patience lies in its ability to lead to inner calm and emotional strength of character.

Family Discussion:

"How To Teach Patience"

• Use phrases such as…

"You need to wait your turn"
"Wait until you're bigger"

• Talk about the sequence of activities:

"First we'll go to the park. Then we'll have lunch"
"You need to take a nap before you can go to the park"

Sources: www.education.com/reference/article/teaching-kids-patience

www.beliefnet.com/Love-family/Family-Values-Toolkit/Family-Values-Patience.aspx?p=4

"Sharing"

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

- Norman MacEwan

Some words that are often associated with preschoolers are "No." "Mine." and "Gimme." These words are usually accompanied by a pull, a grab or a hugging motion to the chest. The preschooler is holding a precious item and they don't want someone else to have it. Preschoolers usually only share to appease adults, when in actuality they are not developmentally ready to share on their own accord. The first steps are for the parents to model sharing and engage children in the conversation of learning to share.

Family Discussion:

"Learning How To Share"

• Practice Sharing With Your Child At Home

"Would you like to share this apple with me?"
"I'm going to bake some cookies, would you like to help me?"

•  Point Out Good Sharing When You See It

"You're being a great friend when you share your toys"
"It's very nice of you to share with your brother, thank you."

Sources: preschoolers.about.com/od/socialemotionalgrowth/ht/share.htm

www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/sharing