Defining Character Education

A Character education activity where teachers can include parents

The goal of this activity is to explore various elements of character development in the context of individual, family and community values. Children develop character through surveillance of model behavior, manifestation of their feelings and dealings, and prospects to put their understanding of how the world works into practice. The guiding principles that will be explored in the above activity are viewed as fostering positive relationships with others and promoting a sense of community. In essence, they influence and guide people’s decisions, consciously or not. When adults question whether a decision they made was fair or responsible, they are reflecting on their integrity and values so that they can apply them in a responsible way. Because people have different values, it is critical for adults to engage in ongoing dialogues, where they can share similarities and differences. Maintaining effective communication may help to ensure consistency, allowing adults to support the development of the whole child, so that they may thrive.
Reflection

Ask participants to reflect on a story they remember hearing when they were a child.
• Did it carry a particular message?
• What do you think the person who shared it with you wanted to share?
• Would you like to share this story with the children in your life? Why?
• How do we pass on our values?
• How do we help children to understand how to behave in a manner that supports these values?
Small Group Discussion

Have participants form groups of about four people. Encourage them to respond to the above questions in their group and continue the discussion. Explain that the objective of this activity is to gain an understanding of different principles of character, using the group’s knowledge and experience as the foundation for the discussion.
Discussion

Invite the groups to return to the larger group and share what they discovered. On a flip chart or board, write the values or character traits that people shared.
• Are there any commonalities?
• Are these values independent of one another or are they connected?
• Can someone be one and not the other (e.g. honest, but not reliable)?
• What type of behavior do we expect from children?
Dispositions

Dispositions, or habits of thinking and doing, contribute to how children learn and behave. Adults and environments can either encourage or discourage positive dispositions. People have different types of dispositions. Some are inborn, such as curiosity or the ability to bond, while others are social and might be based on cultural values. Another type of disposition is intellectual, which includes the capacity to make decisions, problem solve and understand cause and effect.

Adults help children become lifelong learners when they support and nurture the development of positive dispositions. For example, a child is more likely to enjoy reading or writing for personal growth if they learn to read and write through stories that interest them. All children have strengths. Adults can nurture their strengths by offering opportunities for children to explore their interests through child directed activities.

By: Francis David

Francis helps people understand Character Education and knows all of the DISH Network Packages and DISH Promotions. He can also help you compare DIRECT TV vs DISH Network service to find the best DISH Network deals for new customers.