Give Good Character

There are some invaluable attributes you can give your child that cost no money.

Here are some ways to instill good character traits in your child.

• Be the best role model you can be. In everything you do, show responsibility, respect, cooperation, fairness, caring, trustworthiness and good citizenship.
• Teach responsibility by assigning chores at home, and by offering your child choices. Also, help your child learn that choices have consequences, both positive and negative.
• Encourage respect by teaching your child to be courteous and considerate to everyone. Explain that it’s wrong to ridicule or stereotype others.
• Help your child learn cooperation by reminding him or her to always show good sportsmanship. Use only positive cheers at sporting events.
• Encourage fairness by teaching your child to share what he or she has with others. Play board games together to teach your child about taking turns, winning and losing.
• Cultivate caring by praising your child for being kind to others. If possible, involve your child in service projects. Or simply make cookies for an elderly neighbor or help rake their leaves. This is a great time of year to emphasize this trait.
• Teach trustworthiness by emphasizing the importance of being honest and dependable. Praise them for telling the truth when it was difficult for them to do.
• Teach good citizenship by performing your civic responsibilities, such as voting and obeying the law. Take them into the voting booth with you.
• Talk openly about good character and point out examples of it in others, both in your community and in the media.
• Explain to your child that inappropriate behavior needs to be corrected. Equally important, praise your child lavishly for showing good character.