This article really resonated with me as an educator and parent and I felt the need to share it. A Kentucky teacher list's 22 different issues with our schools. With Summer around the corner, or is it? I'm not sure that Mother Nature got the memo that is is Spring! Seriously, with Summer around the corner, I've always felt it to be a long stretch of time in between the last day of school and again to the next grade level. As parents, it's important to find safe and engaging activities for our children to stay academically motivated and also physically active during that time and actually always. There are so many simple ways to engage your children to keep them on their toes! Check out the article here.

As a mom of grown adults, it was always important to me to know where my kids were, who they were with and if at all possible, to know what they were doing. That was then, this is now. A completely new world, new way of thinking, new way of raising children. (our oldest is 39) Still, many things remain the same, such as teaching them to have good behavior, to be respectful of others and of themselves, to be proud of who they are and what they can do, to have healthy habits, to never give up on tasks, to persevere. When we teach our children vital core values at a young age the become a part of who they are and they grow into adults who can make healthy choices, make their own decisions, and to know that there are consequences which helps them to look for the good path.

While the schools can't fix the issues we have at home, nor can our homes can't fix the issues at school, however, if we can work together to build good citizens, I'd like to think the world would be a better place for all.

We hope you talk with your child about behavior. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1.  To be a role model
2. To be patient
3. To be a good listener
4. To know the rules, follow the rules at home
5. To know the rules, follow the rules at school
6. Together, make a list of rules, what you expect from your child and display the chart/list
7. Share a story about a time that you misbehaved, what were the consequences

We hope you talk with your child about being responsible. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. That they are responsible for their attitude
2. That they are responsible for the choices you make
3. That they are responsible for their homework
4. That they are responsible for the things they say and do
5. That there are consequences when they are not responsible

Teaching RESPECT to our children is an important task.Have you ever thought about what a child thinks about if you say to them; "Be Respectful"? I'm a firm believer that we need to teach our children through role modeling, discussions, visuals and books to teach on any topic. Today's topis is being respectful to yourself and others. What does the word respect mean? This is what the dictionary says:
/rəˈspekt/
noun
noun: respect; plural noun: respects

1. 
   a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
   
   • the state of being admired or respected.
     "his first chance in over fifteen years to regain respect in the business"
   • a person's polite greetings.
     "give my respects to your parents"
2. 
   due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.
   "young people's lack of respect for their parents"
   
   
3. 
   a particular aspect, point, or detail.
   "the government's record in this respect is a mixed one"
   synonyms:aspect, regard, facet, feature, way, sense, characteristic, particular, point, detail, question, matter, connection
   "the report turned out to be accurate in every respect"
   

verb
verb: respect; 3rd person present: respects; past tense: respected; past participle: respected; gerund or present participle: respecting
1.
admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
"she was respected by everyone she worked with"

A few years ago a young lady named Shelby Hill from Roy Utah reached out to me to see if she could use our Respectful Rabbit as her platform while she ran for Miss Utah. Needless to say, the answer was 'yes'! Shelby did run for Miss Roy Utah and won, then she ran for Miss Utah and did not earn that title, however, she went on to a bigger platform, she was a missionary doing wonderful things for others and sharing her faith with God's word as well. Shortly after that she married and now is a mommy to a beautiful little boy. We at Characters of Character have high regards and bundles of respect for this young lady. Who do you have respect for? How do you teach your child to be respectful? Respectful Rabbit does have a few tips, click here to read them.

 Please know that our painting kits do not come with the paints, you can purchase these anywhere. I found this nice kit on Amazon with a variety of mediums. Our kits provide the canvas with the character along with other unique resources to teach the character value to our children. Click here to see the kit!