How To Improve Our Schools with Characters of Character messages

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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

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We hope you talk with your child about perseverance. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. To be patient
2. That if at first you don't succeed, TRY, TRY, AGAIN
3. That practice makes perfect
4. To take a break when frustrated, come back again  later to try the task again
5. Share a story with your child that you had to persevere through, while a task may be hard at first, give it your best and persevere

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We hope you talk with your child about friendship. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. That friends can talk together
2. That friends can walk together
3. That friends can sing together
4. That friends can read together
5. That friends can dance together
6. That friends can paint together
7. That friends can laugh together
8. That friends can cook together
​9. That friends can learn together
10.That friends can ride bikes together

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We hope you talk with your child about healthy habits. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. That a healthy mind is important
2. To read 
3. To brush your teeth daily
4. To eat  fruits and veggies and a balanced meal
5. To drink plenty of water, not so much soda
6. To exercise  daily and your mind deserves the same
7. That if you play a team sport, it's important to follow the rules and be a good sport

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We hope you talk with your child about good manners. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. To be a role model
2. To use polite words at home
3. To use polite words in conversations
4. To use polite words when you are talking on your phone
5. To be polite wherever you are in your language and your actions

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We hope you talk with your child about respect. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. To respect themself
2. To respect others
3. To respect sisters and  brothers
4. To respect the earth
5. To respect their home
6. To respect  parents and follow the rules
7. To respect the community 

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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

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We hope you talk with your child about self-esteem. Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. To be proud of who they are
2. That when they have a talent, and, no doubt that they do, share it with others, they'll learn more about you
3. That a smile goes a long way
4. To believe in themselves 

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We hope you talk with your child about being warm-hearted.  Below are some simple ideas to teach them: 
1. To be helpful in the home
2. To be helpful in the classroom
3. To ask  parent(s) how they can be helpful
4. To write a thank you note to someone they love 
5. To pick up  trash in the community 
6. To tell a member of the community that they are appreciated for their hard work
7. To do volunteer work

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"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn".
Benjamin Franklin
Characters of Character has published over 30 books to help teach our children the above character traits, we have brought our characters to life in costumes for fun visits, and we are now offering our Character Painting Kits for each of the characters. Simply visit the individual character pages and you will see the abundance of resources available to help teach our children these values.