Character Education
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character
traits. One way to supplement your child's character
education is to act as a filter for the movies and
television shows your child watches, and to review the books
your child reads.
The following categories are
modeled after "The Book of Virtues for Young People," an
excellent book for children in its own right, written by
William Bennett. When developing a curriculum of character
education for your child, it's helpful to review each
children's book, television show, and movie for both
positive and negative examples of each of the ten virtues
outlined in "The Book of Virtues for Young People." The
stronger the message, the more it will contribute to your
child's character education.
Following are some ways
in which the virtues can manifest as character traits in
children's books, movies, and in television
shows:
Self-Discipline: A character discusses his
feelings of anger rather than impulsively striking out. Or,
a character gets his chores done before he goes out to play.
Compassion: A character understands the pain or
suffering of a friend, and steps in to help, even when it
means she can't attend the party she was looking forward to.
Responsibility: A character admits it was his
baseball that broke the window, and offers to pay for a
replacement. Or, a character keeps her promise to babysit
her younger sister, even though she'd rather go to the
movies with her friends.
Friendship: A character
stands up for her friend in front of her peers, even though
it's not popular. Or, a character befriends the class bully
in an effort to get him to change his ways.
Work: A
character approaches her job with a positive attitude, and
does her very best even when her boss is being unfair. Or, a
character makes up a game to get through an unpleasant task,
and takes pride in her work even though it goes unnoticed.
Courage: A character is afraid of the raging waters,
but takes the risk and dives in to save her family. Or, a
character stands up for what he believes in, even though
it's unpopular.
Perseverance: A character continues
to strive to make the basketball team, even though he's a
foot shorter than the other players. Or, a family works
together to keep their home, even though the father has lost
his job and the mother is ill.
Honesty: A character
admits to himself that he isn't trying his hardest. Or, a
character talks to an adult about a friend in trouble, even
though the friend will get angry at her.
Loyalty: A
character sticks with his losing soccer team in the hope of
helping them become better, rather than joining a winning
soccer team. Or, a character stays at her friend's side
during a serious illness or hardship.
Faith: A
character reaches out to God to help him in his time of
need.
When evaluating character traits and virtues
in kids' books, movies, and television shows, also look at
negative behavioral influences. Ideally, these influences
will be minimal. Consider, for example:
Violence:
Does the character hurt himself, another person, or an
animal through his words or actions, and does he act without
remorse?
Profanity: Does the character use foul
language, sexual language, or take God's name in vain?
Nudity: Does the movie, television show, or book
show or describe suggestive styles of dress or partially
clothed or nude characters?
Sexual Content: Do the
characters engage in implied or overt sexual behavior, or do
they engage in aberrant sexual behavior?
Drugs,
Alcohol, and Tobacco: Do the characters use or abuse legal
or illegal substances?
Scary Elements: Are the
scenarios depicted gratuitously frightening?
Negative Behaviors: Does the character show
disrespect to his parents? Or, does he neglect his homework?
Or, does he frighten other children?
By evaluating
both the positive character traits and negative behaviors of
movies, television shows, and books, and selecting those
that reinforce the values and virtues that are important to
you, you'll go far in developing your child's character
education. Brent
Sitton is the founder of DiscoveryJourney.com.
DiscoveryJourney has a variety of tools available to parents to help promote a
culture of reading in your household. Discovery Journey has compiled Children's Book Reviews
of books that not only engage children, but also delight parents. Our children's
book reviews identify character trait and child behavior issues in the book to
discuss as a family. Each children's book review contains related fun and
educational kid
activity to enjoy as a family, inspiring the passion for learning and
reading!
Related News
DHS to drop ban on foster parenting by unwed couples - Arkansas News
The Parenting Vote - New York Times
New York Times |
The Parenting VoteNew York Times, United States -5 hours agoBy Lisa Belkin Ask people with children what most shapes their worldview, and being a parent would likely be high on the list. ... |
Q&A: 49ers cornerback Nate Clements - San Francisco Chronicle
Your parenting happy place - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle |
Your parenting happy placeSan Francisco Chronicle, USA -Oct 9, 2008When the bad times come, one thing I do to keep from getting out-of-control upset is remember one of my parenting happy places. I have maybe five or six of ... |
Parenting video series begins this Sunday - Charles City Press
Parenting video series begins this SundayCharles City Press, United States -7 hours agoA great parenting resource is being offered to interested families in Charles City. The first five segments of the video series, “Shepherding a Child’s ... |
Give mom some parenting books - BlueRidgeNow.com
Who claims the family policy agenda? - San Francisco Chronicle
Who claims the family policy agenda?San Francisco Chronicle, USA -20 hours agoHigh rates of poverty, divorce, single parenthood and social isolation exaggerate the typical strains of parenting. As a result, the United States has one ... |
A Parenting Odyssey: Shouldering Grief, Welcoming Joy - RedOrbit
New car technology to aid parenting skills - Great Dad
Parenting books you can't live without - San Francisco Chronicle
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Parenting Your Teenager: How to Build Trust
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend Jenny?''
Top Seven Tips for Back-to-School Success
Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These seven tips from http://www.goalsettingforstudents.com explain how to help your child set and achieve goals for the new school year.
Assertiveness: Key to Better Parenting
Play the Ball, Not the Man!
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at other times we need to rebuke. Either way, how do we put our point across with maximum effectiveness?
5 Simple Steps Guaranteed To Allow You To Spend More Time With Your Children This Summer
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last day of school, the local outdoor swimming pool is open, and the temperature has sky-rocketed. Summer is here! Are you still stuck in your winter routine? The one filled with rushing around to after school programs, play dates and endless birthday parties. Do you still feel the pressure of hurrying your kids to catch the school bus and rushing out after them to deliver the lunch that little Amanda forgot on the table? Summer is here! Time to relax!
The Symtoms Of Meningitis And Septicaemia
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by either a virus or bacteria.
Uses for Dirty Diapers
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert on dirty diapers. I know exactly what to do with them: throw them out!
How Do I Get My Child to Read?
Well first off, please to don't institute the ½ hour of mandatory reading that so many schools and parents are so keen on these days. You want to encourage a life-long love of reading and frankly you would be much more likely to succeed by banning reading in your house then by turning reading into yet another chore that needs to be done.
Secondly, you want to make sure that your child doesn't have some learning disability that makes reading hard and uncomfortable. Even a child who makes good grades can have some undetected condition that makes reading difficult. Check with your child's teacher and/or have him tested if necessary. If there is a learning disability present, experts can help your child with strategies that will make reading easier and more enjoyable.
The best time to instill a love of reading in your child is before they can read. Read to them at bed time. Please don't play a bedtime video. If you are too busy to read to your child then you can play a book on tape. Just make sure that reading is part of a bedtime ritual that is comfortable and pleasant.
The number one way to instill a love of reading in your child is to be an avid reader yourself. When your little girl comes to you wanting to play Barbies, you can say "One moment sweetie, I want to finish this chapter". You will be showing her by example that reading is even more fun than Barbies! If you hate to read then have yourself tested for a disability. Again you will be demonstrating how important reading is. Also think about instituting a "quiet" time during the day when you read and must not be disturbed. It would be a perfect time for them to read as well. Talk about books while eating dinner.
You also need to make sure that there are plenty of books in the house. The library is great but you must also own books. They need to be available. Having no money is no excuse. There are plenty of used bookstores and flea markets with cheap books for sale. Libraries often sell books and sometimes even give them away. When I started an on-line used book store, I was immediately inundated with truckloads of books from friends who needed to clear out. Just let people know you want books and they will start to appear. Believe me! Make sure there is a wide variety of subjects and titles. You never know what will spark your child's interest.
When A Parent Is Deployed
When a parent is deployed with the military it can be very traumatic for the children left behind. Having things for them
to do, that makes them feel a part of the family and helping the parent who is gone, is really important.
Sharing Books with Children
One of my first memories of childhood is that of my mother reading Dr. Seuss books to me in a big brown recliner in our living room. That memory brings with it sounds and smells and a general feeling of safety and comfort that never fades, even after all these years. Naturally, one of the first memories I have of my own first born child is sitting in a big chair and reading Little Golden Books to him.
Playing Safe
Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with a toy that was made on the other side of the world by people who are no more than children themselves, and paid 30 cents an hour - a paltry sum that can barely sustain them? Unfortunately, all too often, that's exactly what you're doing.
Why Mother?s Day is Important For Children
Mother's Day is important for children.
Road Trip with Kids
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of nuisance for a child when in a restaurant - how much more in the narrow cage of a car on a hour-long ride. You have barely left your home when the notorious "Are-we-there-already" starts, sometimes replaced by the equally infamous "How-long-is-it-still-going-to-take" and "I-have-to-pee" (the latter preferrably on highways with no possibility to stop).
Is it Attention Deficit Disorder or is it Tourettes Syndrome?
During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child (or teen, or yourself). In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment. There are several possible causes of these behaviors, especially in children, and the clinician must have great certainty that these other possible causes have been ruled out before giving the label of "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" to your child.
Encourage Your Children Potential By Your Modeling
All responsible parents would want to support their children, find ways to encourage their potential, help them be more, discover their hidden gifts and help them reach for the stars.
Time, Stress, and a Baby
The main thing we noticed since having a baby is that time is a more valuable good. We do not have enough time for many things or time is really tight to accomplish certain tasks before the next feeding time has come. Think about feeding. The little one needs to be fed every 3 hours. Take approx. 15 minutes for the preparation, diaper change, cuddling, etc. before the actual feeding. Now take 30 minutes for the actual feeding, burping, holding and interacting with the baby. This really leaves you with approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes (if all goes well, the baby goes to sleep and does not wake up, etc.)
Homeschooling --- A Superior Education For Your Child
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly teach most kids the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic using excellent, creative, learn-to-read, or learn-math books, programs, or computer learning software. Once children become proficient readers, they can then study subjects they love in greater depth. If a child needs help on a special subject, parents can occasionally call in a tutor.
My Husband Prioritizes Making Money Above Family Time
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything he can to make more of it. It's gotten so bad that he's lost interest in our daughter. He hardly spends any time with her anymore. What can I do?"
How to Stop Divorce Parental Conflict from Bursting?
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after divorce the culprit of most psychological-adjustment problems the children are having. So, how to stop the post-divorce parental conflict from bursting must be given a premium importance by parents who want to have a healthy, happy and successful divorced children.
Is Your Child Ready For an Allowance?
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but they sure think there is a never-ending supply of it. They see you at the grocery store pushing a cart overflowing with the week's groceries; you hand the cashier a piece of plastic and suddenly it's all yours. People come to the door asking for money to support a charity and it magically appears from the bottom of your purse as if you were pulling a rabbit from a hat. Instead of "mama" or "dada", "checkbook" might have been your child's first word. It makes no sense to them then, that every time they ask for something they'd like from the store the answer is usually no. How do you teach the value of money to a child?
|
