Then I came across a site that explained it all. I find that with younger children like my son, giving them more specific instructions that explain how they can accomplish what we wish for them to accomplish is more effective than the more generalized instruction to "show kindness" or "be responsible," and this site helps provide specific directives that are easier for younger minds to understand.
As I read through the list I realized that it isn't just children who could use this education in making good choices, but as adults we could use revisiting these lessons too.
The website linked below is worth visiting. It is meant for teachers but I think it can be very helpful for parents too. The page I linked to has further links for activities associated with each character guideline listed below to further help explain these to children.
From Character Education | The Cornerstone
Citizenship
Involves obedience, charity, patriotism, and environmental concern.
Core Principles
*Do things the right way the first time you are asked.
*Do not ask for rewards: do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.
*Be quick, quiet, and orderly during transition times.
*When walking in line, stay to the right, keep your arms at your sides, and move quietly.
*Never cut or save spots in line.
*If you see friends in the hallway, wave to them but do not call out.
*Follow other teachers’ rules when they are in charge.
*Help people who are less fortunate in every way you can.
*Stand up for what you believe.
*Show respect for American symbols & during the Pledge of Allegiance.
*Be responsible for your trash.
*Do not be wasteful.
*Do things the right way the first time you are asked.
*Do not ask for rewards: do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.
*Be quick, quiet, and orderly during transition times.
*When walking in line, stay to the right, keep your arms at your sides, and move quietly.
*Never cut or save spots in line.
*If you see friends in the hallway, wave to them but do not call out.
*Follow other teachers’ rules when they are in charge.
*Help people who are less fortunate in every way you can.
*Stand up for what you believe.
*Show respect for American symbols & during the Pledge of Allegiance.
*Be responsible for your trash.
*Do not be wasteful.
Kindness
Involves caring, random acts of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, & compassion
Core Principles
*Never say, “I don’t care” when someone tells you how they feel.
*Be kind towards others without expecting them to treat you the same way.
*Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.
*Share with others whenever you have more than enough.
*If someone bumps you, say ‘excuse me’ even if it wasn’t your fault.
*Do not hold a grudge: you’re only hurting yourself.
*Try to understand WHY people act the way they do.
*Never say, “I don’t care” when someone tells you how they feel.
*Be kind towards others without expecting them to treat you the same way.
*Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.
*Share with others whenever you have more than enough.
*If someone bumps you, say ‘excuse me’ even if it wasn’t your fault.
*Do not hold a grudge: you’re only hurting yourself.
*Try to understand WHY people act the way they do.
Respect
Involves patience, politeness, and showing concern for all creatures.
Core Principles
*Do not show impatience when someone takes a long time to answer or understand something.
*Never say, “That’s easy!” when it’s hard for someone else.
*Learn to entertain yourself without being disruptive when waiting.
*Respond to an adult when spoken to.
*In America, it’s important to make eye contact when spoken to.
*If you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return.
*Never interrupt an adult when you are being corrected: wait and then politely ask to explain yourself.
*If an adult does not let you explain yourself, let your teacher know.
*Do not show disrespect with gestures or noises.
*Keep your grades private & do not ask about other people’s grades.
*Do not tease or harm any living creature for “fun”.
*Do not show impatience when someone takes a long time to answer or understand something.
*Never say, “That’s easy!” when it’s hard for someone else.
*Learn to entertain yourself without being disruptive when waiting.
*Respond to an adult when spoken to.
*In America, it’s important to make eye contact when spoken to.
*If you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return.
*Never interrupt an adult when you are being corrected: wait and then politely ask to explain yourself.
*If an adult does not let you explain yourself, let your teacher know.
*Do not show disrespect with gestures or noises.
*Keep your grades private & do not ask about other people’s grades.
*Do not tease or harm any living creature for “fun”.
Honesty
Involves trustworthiness, reliability, integrity, and self-awareness.
Core Principles
*Always be honest, no matter what the circumstances.
*Keep your promises.
*When you make a mistake, admit it, make things right, and let it go.
*Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
*Don’t start, repeat, or even listen to gossip.
*If you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face, don’t say it to anyone.
*Before speaking, think, “Is it true? Kind? Necessary?”
*It’s okay to say you don’t know something.
*Always be honest, no matter what the circumstances.
*Keep your promises.
*When you make a mistake, admit it, make things right, and let it go.
*Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
*Don’t start, repeat, or even listen to gossip.
*If you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face, don’t say it to anyone.
*Before speaking, think, “Is it true? Kind? Necessary?”
*It’s okay to say you don’t know something.
Self-Control
Involves humility, perseverance/ courage, and contentment.
Core Principles
*If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger.
*Congratulate classmates when they are successful.
*Never laugh at or tease someone when they make a mistake.
*Do not stare or laugh at a student who is being corrected.
*Do not make a big deal out of bodily functions.
*Learn from your mistakes and move on.
*When work is assigned, do not moan or complain.
*Be patient with yourself and don’t give up easily.
*Be satisfied with what you have.
*Always find the positive in life; complaining makes everyone miserable.
*If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger.
*Congratulate classmates when they are successful.
*Never laugh at or tease someone when they make a mistake.
*Do not stare or laugh at a student who is being corrected.
*Do not make a big deal out of bodily functions.
*Learn from your mistakes and move on.
*When work is assigned, do not moan or complain.
*Be patient with yourself and don’t give up easily.
*Be satisfied with what you have.
*Always find the positive in life; complaining makes everyone miserable.
Tolerance
Involves acceptance of diversity, equality, peace, and appropriate conflict resolution.
Core Principles
*Laugh with people, not at them.
*Respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas.
*If people near you are too noisy, politely ask them to lower their voices.
*If someone asks you to lower your voice, say “no problem” and do so.
*It’s okay not to like someone; it’s not okay to be rude to them.
*Tell, don’t tattle. (Telling= trying to help someone, tattling= trying to get them in trouble).
*Accept that life isn’t fair and people sometimes do mean things.
*If anyone is bullying you, let your teacher know.
*Don’t expect yourself or other people to be perfect.
*Don’t sweat the small stuff.
*When you feel like overreacting, take deep breaths and relax.
*Laugh with people, not at them.
*Respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas.
*If people near you are too noisy, politely ask them to lower their voices.
*If someone asks you to lower your voice, say “no problem” and do so.
*It’s okay not to like someone; it’s not okay to be rude to them.
*Tell, don’t tattle. (Telling= trying to help someone, tattling= trying to get them in trouble).
*Accept that life isn’t fair and people sometimes do mean things.
*If anyone is bullying you, let your teacher know.
*Don’t expect yourself or other people to be perfect.
*Don’t sweat the small stuff.
*When you feel like overreacting, take deep breaths and relax.
Cooperation
Involves friendliness, fairness, loyalty, and gratitude.
Core Principles
*Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
*When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names.
*Stay out of cliques.
*If someone you play with is continually rude and mean, choose other friends.
*Cheerfully work with any partner you are assigned so you do not hurt their feelings.
*When offered something, take only your fair share.
*Stand up for people you care about.
*Always say thank you when given something.
*When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver.
*Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
*When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names.
*Stay out of cliques.
*If someone you play with is continually rude and mean, choose other friends.
*Cheerfully work with any partner you are assigned so you do not hurt their feelings.
*When offered something, take only your fair share.
*Stand up for people you care about.
*Always say thank you when given something.
*When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver.
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