CHARACTER BUILIDING

Help Children Build Character

1:  Guide rather than punish

2:  Be Supportive

3:  Set an Example

4:  Be Clear

Self-Discipline:

Self-discipline means doing the right thing because you are self-motivated and not because an adult told you to.  Self-disciplined kids do better in school and will do better in life.  When a child is self-disciplined it means that they are organized and persistent and they take responsibility for their learning. 

Ways to help your child become self-disciplined:

Set Clear and Consistent Limits - Give Your Child Responsibilities

1. Rules about TV & video games

2. Rules about bedtime       

3. Rules about chores

Being consistent will help your child to understand the importance of rules

1.     Responsibilities need to be age appropriate.

2.    Let your child help decide what responsibilities they are ready for.

3.    When you have helped your child understand it is “their” responsibility, you will no longer have to remind them.

Give your Child Choices - Let Your Child Experience Consequences

1.    Young children get limited choices while older children who have proven to be responsible get more choices.

2.    Ask your child “what did you choose to do?” This helps them become aware of choices and responsibility.

·         When possible allow “natural consequences

o    If she does not want to wear a coat…she will be cold.

·         When needed use “logical” consequences

o    If he makes a mess, he has to clean it.

o    If she is late getting ready for practice, she misses practice that day.

Reward Self-Discipline - Build your Child’s Self-Esteem - Try Incentives and Rewards

·         Tell your child that you admire her choice.

·         Help your child develop a sense of pride for a job well done

·         Ask your child’s opinion

·         Reward your child with praise

·         Celebrate when they do a good job.

·         Show interest in schoolwork. 

Teach Your Child Self-Management Skills

Self-Awareness - Self-Care

o List behaviors that are important to your family and have your child tell you how they think they are doing.

o Expressing themselves calmly.

o Completing homework on time

o Doing chores

o Taking responsibility for their behaviors

o Saying “I’m sorry” when wrong

·         Teach children to “check” themselves before going to school.

o    Is my hat on my head?

o    Is my coat on my body?

o    Are my shoes on my feet?

o    Is my backpack on my back?

·         Teach your child to use a “To Do” list and check it every morning.

Good Judgment - Problem-Solving

·         Teach your child to decide what is more important and what is less important.

·         Talk to your child about learning from their mistakes.

·         Help them learn “logical” thinking.

o Why do you think that happened?

o How could you have done something differently?

o Do you think there would have been a different result if you did it differently?

·         Model problem solving so your child can learn from you.

·         Allow your child to handle their own problems when appropriate.

o    Encourage her/him to solve it on her own when appropriate.

o    Let your child participate in problem solving in the family.

Goal setting - Money Management

·         Help your child set a goal

·         Help them create a visual reminder of their goal.

·         Help them determine steps to accomplishing the goal.

·         Help your child reflect on how well they did.

·         Celebrate reaching their goal

·         Spending: Show your child how to budget and plan for what they need or want.

·         Savings: Help your child understand the importance of saving for long term needs or desires.

Help your child develop good habits

Research tell us that if you repeat an action every day for 21 consecutive days, it is likely to become automatic. 

Help your child set a 21 day goal

Teach Children Respect

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