Positivity Project
What is The Positivity Project?
The Positivity Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping America’s youth build stronger relationships by recognizing the character strengths in themselves and others. Their vision is to create citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and country by internalizing the belief that “Other People Matter,” which is based on the 24 character strengths. This model is holistic; it incorporates students, educators, and parents through regular interaction with character strengths vocabulary and concepts.
What is Stough doing with The Positivity Project?
Stough has joined The Positivity Project as a Partner School to support students in their social-emotional learning and growth. Our goal is that all students, staff, and families will grow in appreciation and awareness in our school and global community. Our staff believes that #OtherPeopleMatter and #OtherStallionsMatter and strives to support students in strengthening relationships and pro-social skills so that they can be successful, happy, collaborative, creative, critical- thinkers and problem-solvers.
What are the benefits of implementing The Positivity Project?
The Positivity Project ideals evolve throughout a student’s whole school career. The 24 character strengths develop and gain more meaning for students as they grow. Once students learn the meaning of each strength and what it looks like, they can then be embedded into the curriculum in every subject area. The character strengths become a part of a common language and they will see them in everything that they do.
The Project teaches children by acknowledging that the 24 character strengths are already a part of who they are as people. It helps them to realize that each and every one of them have these strengths. Positive character strengths can and should be acknowledged in the classroom, as it gives students a richer understanding of what the character strength looks like in their peer group. Students understand that they have their own “Super Power” and they will be acknowledged and valued for their own character strengths.
How can you help?
We would love for you to take an active role in your child’s character strength education. By using the character strengths vocabulary and having discussions about the concepts, you will help your child understand the character in themselves and others in a different light. You can follow our social media handles to see what we’re doing each day – and please feel free to reach out for more information or visit www.posproject.org
Character Strengths
The 24 Character Strengths
Character Strengths
While often simplified as “grit” or “self-control,” character is more than simply individual achievement or a person’s behavior. It is a broad and complex family of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are recognized and encouraged across cultures for the values they cultivate in people and society. Character is the aggregate of who we are; it’s “what’s inside every one of us.”
Dr. Chris Peterson took a three-year sabbatical to better understand character and its manifestations. Alongside Dr. Martin Seligman, Dr. Peterson then wrote an 800-page book on the research called Character Strengths and Virtues. This book explains:
24 character strengths that are evident in the most widely influential traditions of thought in human history;
Robust evidence of all 24 strengths existing throughout time and in all cultures of the world;
All 24 character strengths exist in every individual. Ranging from bravery and forgiveness to integrity and gratitude, these character strengths are the foundation of The Positivity Project’s model. Making children aware that every one of them—and every other person—has all 24 character strengths, provides the foundation for genuine self-confidence. More importantly, it helps children better understand why everyone is different and how to appreciate those differences. Unlike our height, weight, or skin color, character is something that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, understanding and valuing it—especially in other people—requires a framework of consistent reflection and discussion.