Children: Building Character
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MiMi's "Teach Children Character"
Building character in your children is probably the most important aspect of your parental life. Being the parent of a child who grows up with emotional intelligence is entirely in your power. A child whose character is developed will have a markedly increased chance for an adulthood that's happier and healthier than could be possible otherwise.
Here, you'll find the motivation and encouragement you may be searching for to help you raise your child to have emotional control — character strength. You'll find it in the form of tips, recommendations, pertinent links, book recommendations, free lesson plans and more.
A Young Person's Bill of Rights
I have a right to live rather than merely exist.
I have a right to personhood rather than being an object of possession.
I have a right to equality with every other human being regardless of age.
I have a right to be respected as a human being.
I have a right to be uniquely myself with my own identity.
I have a right to speak my thoughts and feelings, and to be heard.
I have a right to ask "why?" and to receive an answer.
I have a right to receive discipline without insults, yelling and put-downs.
I have a right to be encouraged to grow to maturity at my own pace.
I have a right to be free of physical harm at the hands of others.
I have a right to be loved for who I am.
I have a right to think for myself and, with guidance, to make my own decisions.
I have a right to be responsible for myself.
I have a right to feel joy, happiness, sorrow, bereavement, and pain.
I have a right to my acheivements and a right to my mistakes.
I have a right to care and be cared for, to give and to receive.
I have a right to develop my own convictions, beliefs and standards.
I have a right to know and experience personal freedom.
I have a right to my own body, mind, and spirit.
I have a responsibility to recognize and accept the rights of others regarding their Bill Of Rights.
—Author Unknown
Character Words
List of Character Words to Teach Your Children
Action
Attentiveness
Attitude
Caring
Compassion
Citizenship
Civility
Contentment
Convictions
Confidence
Cooperation
Courage
Courtesy
Dependability
Determination
Diligence
Empathy
Enthusiasm
Fairness
Feelings
Freedom
Friendship
Generosity
Helpfulness
Honesty
Honor
Hope
Humility
Integrity
Joyfulness
Kindness
Listen
Love
Loyalty
Manners
Obedience
Optimism
Orderliness
Patience
Peace
Perseverance
Punctuality
Reputation
Respect
Responsibility
Self-Control
Sharing
Thankfulness
Teamwork
Thoughtfulness
Togetherness
Tolerance
Trustworthiness
Work
Here's an artistic view of these character words made at Wordle.net. Wordle is free to use. You can also use your results to create and sell t-shirts — even the Wordle creations of other people. Click this Character Wordle to see it big. (Displays using a Java applet.) Top 3 Tips for Raising Mentally Strong Children
No Labels. Never tell your child that he is stupid, not as smart as his sister, uncoordinated, worthless, a mistake... Watch what you say; your child could be scarred for life by careless words.
Be Consistent. Your child needs to know what to expect from you at any given time. Consistency creates the feeling of security that all children crave.
Hug Your Children Often. Children need to feel your touch. Hug them, stroke their hair, give them your warmth!
Character Quotations
Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming. Jim Rohn
Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece — by thought, choice, courage and determination. John Luther
Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Abraham Lincoln
Character Lessons Online
Free lessons and sample lessons for building character
- Character Counts!: Free Teaching Tools: Character Education Lesson Plans, Curriculum, Handouts
- Resources that help you teach character to youth.
- The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program... Sample Lesson Plans
- Free Sample Lesson Plans
- Kindness Lesson Plans
- These are geared toward teachers, and since mothers are teachers, too, these will help you teach your child about kindness. :)
- Diversity Appreciation & Understanding | PBS Kids
- Creative, fun, and interesting ways to teach your child about different cultures and tolerance — to name just a couple. Use the dropdown box to select an activity. Really explore this one. It's chock full of learning fun.
- Social & Emotional Development | PBS Kids
- Another PBSKids area teaching emotional and social development. Explore, teach, have fun!
- Teaching Guide Topics for Character Education
- Teaching guides for K-12. Geared in conjunction with videos they have produced; however, there's great information here to create/modify the lessons according to your own needs.
- Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen
- Excellent lesson plans for parents from the US Dept. of Education. View online or download PDF version.
- Education World: Lesson Plans
- A collection of teacher-submitted lesson plans. Though geared toward a classroom, I am sure that you can tweak them into your own character-building lessons for your child.
- Teaching Ideas - Character Education
- Great ideas from teachers. Character lessons/ideas for you to tweak and implement.
- Feelings Game
- Learning About Faces. Free online game teaches the skill of reading emotions.
- Facial Expressions Game
- Very interesting. The child manipulates a woman's face, making her look mad, sad, happy, angry or however they so choose. In this way, they learn how the face conveys emotion.
Character Building Through Talk
Wonderful books for helping your child to think and enjoy the exchange of ideas
If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/05/2009) 
It's Up to You... What Do You Do?
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/05/2009)
More If You Had to Choose What Would You Do?
Amazon Price: $11.24 (as of 07/05/2009)
Getting Your Children To Talk
Enhance Dinnertime, Travel
Food for Talk (Recipes for Living Series)
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/05/2009)
Food for Talk Travel Deck: Conversation Starters for Families on the Road
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Table Topics Conversation Cards
More ways to grow as a family
Table Topics Conversation Cards - Family Edition
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
Table Topics Conversation Cards - Family Gathering Edition
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
Table Topics Conversation Cards - Spirit Edition
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
Table Topics - Conversation Topics Game - Teen Edition (Orange)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Give A Character-Building Party
Fun idea for helping kids learn about character
The nuts and bolts: Invite your child's friends to a Character-Building Party. Plan a few events. Depending upon the weather, it could be horseshoes, a basketball game, swimming, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or other indoor and outdoor games. Between events, use a dilemmas book or the conversation-starter cards like the preceding ones I've recommended, and select questions to ask the children. They will probably surprise you with their thoughtful answers. You'll, no doubt, be doubly surprised at how much they enjoy this thinking and growing party!
Character Parties Business Idea
______________________
For Entrepreneurial Moms
______________________
Following up on the preceding idea for giving your children a Character Party, why not make a business plan for hosting other Character Parties? Market your business, book your parties and host an organized, memory-making event where children learn about character, emotional intelligence, and social skills in a fun-filled party environment. An inspiring and worthwhile business.
Teaching Your Child to Meditate
Nancy Brady Discusses Child Meditation
Runtime: 4:43
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Meditation for Children Books
An Anonymous Father's Letter to His Son's Teacher
Old letter stands the test of time
A Word To Teachers
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish politician,
there is a dedicated leader.
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend.
Steer him away from envy,
if you can;
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick.
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books.
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far more honourable to fail
than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong.
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people
and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon.
Teach him to listen to all men,
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him, if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad.
Teach him there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics,
and to beware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he's right.
Treat him gently,
but do not coddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient.
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do.
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
This letter has been widely attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but Lincoln's historians say that he did not write it. However, I believe in this case the most important thing is not the author, but what was written.
Honoring Children of Character
- Two Maryland Youth Honored for Volunteerism
- Madison Mayster, 17, and Connor Dantzler, 14, are honored for their outstanding volunteer work during The 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Washington, DC.
- The My Hero Project - Celebrating Young Heroes
- The MY HERO Project Celebrates Young Heroes
All over the world, young people of all ages, races, and nationalities are going above and beyond to be active members of their local and global communities. - BGCA | Youth of the Year
- 61st Winner. Meet Demetrice Tuttle, 2007-2008 National Youth of the Year, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of West Georgia.
- BGCA | Youth of the Year Speeches
- 2007-2008 Youth of the Year Speeches — including Demetrice Tuttle's. Inspiring. I loved going to the Girls Club back in the day in Wilmington, NC. It is the perfect place for kids who have troubles and woes at home.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honors Mid and High Schoolers for Their Volunteer Work
Educational Toy Zone
Playing is learning...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Fellow Squidoo Lensmaster Creates Game
The VirtueGame
Check out The VirtueGame Brings Out The Best In Kids from fellow lensmaster AMB1.
Question For MiMi at Children: Building Character
How can we get tolerance training and confidence courses, etc into public schools?!?
Webkinz: Teach Kids Responsibility
Kids learn responsiblity, money management, and other great skills!
Visit the lenses below to learn more and to stay in the know:
- Webkinz - Collectible Plush Toy With Interactive Virtual Twist
- We were introduced to Webkinz when our daughter received one for her birthday. The little stuffed poodle came with instructions to go to the webkinz website to adopt and care for the Webkinz.
- Webkinz World
- Are you new to the world of Webkinz? Maybe you or your child have been kinzing for a while but don't have much time to put into figuring it all out. This is the place to find out cool tips and news from Webkinz World.I update this lens daily so keep checking back!
- Webkinz In the News
- Maybe you are a true fan, like me, or maybe you are a Webkinz collector - either way, you want to keep up on what is happening with our favorite furry pets!I will share with you all the news I find, so you can be the first on your block to know the latest!
- Kid's Birthdays: Webkinz ~ Animal Theme Based Party Ideas
- I decided to create this page to help anyone interested in throwing a Webkinz or animal themed birthday party for their child.Party Invitations ~ Pinata Ideas ~ Balloons ~ Party Favors ~ Games ~ Crafts ~ and More!
- Webkinz Secret Recipes
- How many Webkinz Secret Recipes are out there? It's hard to say, but one thing is for sure, there will always be new webkinz recipes to be discovered.Ganz is constantly releasing new recipes each month for your pet to enjoy in Webkinz World.
- Webkinz For Sale
- How big of a Webkinz Fan are you? I am a big fan of the popular stuffed animal plush toys called Webkinz. Have you heard of them? If not then this lens is where you will learn more about the Webkinz animals and tips and secrets to use with them.
Original Products from MiMi's GrowWear.com
Motivational and Inspirational Quotations on T-Shirts and More
Think You Can Quotation Women's Long Sleeve T-Shir
Henry Ford Quotation: Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.
Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
Nin (02) Quotation Women's V-Neck T-Shirt
Anais Nin Quotation: We don't see things as they are; we see things as we are.
Women's V-Neck T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
Hope Quotation (01) Women's T-Shirt
Hope Quotation: Multi-colored design. Never lose hope.
Women's T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Tolerance Quotation Tote Bag
Tolerance Quotation: Black design, available in caps, magnets, t-shirts and more.
Tote Bag
Price: 17.99
I See Role Models Quotation Kids T-Shirt
For kids: "I see role models" --Six letter-color choices.
Kids Light T-Shirt
Price: 17.99
Squids Care
Other Lensmasters Who Care About Children
- Nurturing Imagination
- When my boys turned 7 and 4, a dear friend gave them each one of the best gifts they've ever received. They were capes, homemade capes made from a silky king-sized bed sheet she had picked up at a yard sale.
- Television and Children
- With the right programming, a television can provide entertainment and education for children. However, as we all know there is a significant amount of violence, harsh language, and sexually explicit content as well as agressive marketing which most professionals and parents wish to eliminate for young children.
- What happened to RECESS?
- Do you remember the games you played during recess as a child? Think about all the physical activity that involved and what you learned from those recess games.Did you know that more and more recess is being replaced by testing and homework? While children are becoming fatter and fatter, schools are eliminating the time for them to exercise, socialize and think creatively.
Important Books for Building Character
Books for you; books for your children
Recommend your favorite from the list by voting for it, or add and vote for your own recommendation.
Inspiring Online Book
Online Parenting Classes
Learn, update parenting skills at home
- Active Parenting Today Online Groups
- From the website: How can I be sure I'm giving my kids what they really need to succeed? You care about parenting and want your children to grow into healthy, cooperative, productive adults.
- Online Parent Class
- From the website: Online Parent Class features the world's most comprehensive, approved, completely online parenting class. Free Certificate of Completion.
- Connection Parenting Workshops
- From the website: Parenting education and parenting advice, child development consulting, parenting workshops and classes, from child birth through the teen years.
- The Happy Family Parenting Course
- A four-part parenting course from ValuesParenting.com -- one that helps give you control of your family's destiny. (There is a one-time $50.00 registration to become a member of this site, ValuesParenting.com, and to receive access to all the benefits listed here.
Toss and Learn
Throw a ball; reinforce learning
INTERMEDIATE LIFE SKILLS CLEVER
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Character-Building
Site Spotlight
- Raising Kids with Character - FamilyEducation.com
- From the site: We've gathered a host of expert answers to your most pressing character concerns.
Character-Building CD
Songs and activities
Words Kids Need To Hear
Book by David Staal
In his book, Words Kids Need To Hear, David Staal says the following seven words and phrases are the most important for your children to hear. Please vote for what you think is the most important word or phrase:
Award and Recognize
Everyone loves to be loved!
- Award Certificates
- Positive parenting means letting your child know how you value their efforts. Award your child for being kind, helpful, making the right choice, working hard, etc.
- Award maker at Lakeshore Learning
- Online award maker. Fill in the blanks, and your award or certificate will print out on regular-size paper.
- Printable Certificates for Kids - Free, Printable Award Certificates
- Create a fun certificate to give to someone special.
- Award Certificates for Home and School
- The Squidoo Guide to Printable Awards and Achievement Certificates for kids and adults.
Unique Children's Gifts
My Favorite Websites for Character-Building Information
Learn more about raising children of character
by Christine Carter, UC BerkeleyKidsDiscuss: Parents learn character-building skills. Free parenting articles and free newsletter.Character.org: Developing young people of good character who become responsible and caring citizens.
CharacterCounts.org: The most widely implemented approach to character education -- embraced by thousands of schools, communities, public agencies and nonprofits.
The Virtues Project: The Mission of The Virtues ProjectTM is to provide empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life through programs of excellence and simplicity which support people of all ages to cultivate their virtues -- the gifts of character.
Motivational Speaker for Kids
Perhaps the Next Mr. Rogers
Respect Poll
The most influential person in a child's life is who he or she respects the most.
Character Education Latest Blog Discussion
The latest blog posts about Character Education
- Character Education to be Taught by SRO's
- During that time school resource officers took the opportunity to teach ?Character Education? during exploratory time in the middle schools. This class is taught everyday during the last hour of the school day. ...
- Character Education in Online Education
- Recently I read an article (in Chinese) in which the authors explain their perspective in online education in China. I found the following viewpoint, which I translated into English, interesting: Currently, there are still some issues ...
- SBWire > Achiever McBeaver Character Education Appreciates the ...
- Press Release If you have a child or work with children, then you surely know the feeling. Ever have your kiddo not listen to you? Of course you have! We've all been there!
- Moral Development: What, How, and Why?
- Character education programs?those seeking to influence students' ethical sensibilities?are typically seen as a positive component of any K-12 curriculum. They look to promote honesty, integrity, ethical thought, reflection, ...
Character Education Latest News
The latest news about Character Education
- Achiever McBeaver Character Education Appreciates the Lost ...
- The educator design team from Achiever McBeaver character education has made the bold move to declare war on student listening skills! ...
- Schools host character education conference
- This is not a math and science conference," said Nancy Reed, Hamilton County's director of character education. The three-day conference, which ends today, ...
- Ex-con turned around his life until bullet cut it short
- ... he had mastered communication skills, job search skills, money management, parenting, substance abuse, values, character education and victim awareness. ...
- Charter school to open in new home
- Integrity's curriculum focuses on character education. Reading and writing assignments have students reflect on traits such as courtesy, respect, ...
Character Building Latest Blog Discussions
The latest blog posts about Character Building
- Character Building
- How do you go about building your character? Is this someone you have to have fully developed before you can bring yourself to write those first words, or is this someone you build as you go along. The latter has been my method in the ...
- The Hellhole Ride--Character Building
- It's the character building phase. The race, of course, is the plot. Keep in mind, however, that even the character building phase can be peppered with excitement. Single, traumatic, impossible workout feats that define who you are as ...
- The evil hat's RPG campaign - Wiki, Character Concepts, and Discussion
- I am all kinds of excited to give this a go, and will be hopefully arranging for a D&D Insider compatible computer tonight to get character building started. That said, a few questions/points for us all to discuss. ...
- Character Building Opportunities—How to Mom It Forward During ...
- Being rich or poor isn't my character. Giving generously in whatever ways I can, financial or otherwise, is who I really am. I resolve to work toward leaving a legacy regardless of my financial status. For me, I want to change the world ...
Character Building Latest News
The latest news about Character Building
- Corporate support necessary for employee character building
- Just as educational institutions, family, cultural and social networks and role models influence character building, so do corporate enterprises. ...
- Education ministry launches character-building plan
- By Flora Wang ?Taiwanese society is generally considered a society replete with strong soft power, as we are a society characterized by culture and quality ...
- Journey 'Into the Woods' at Weathervane
- Soon, an unhappy Witch complicates matters and our characters have "Three Midnights" to accomplish several character-building outcomes. ...
- Hernando County events and happenings
- This will be an Australia-themed presentation that combines music, art, social studies, environmental education, character-building and audience ...
What Makes a Violent Criminal?
Teaching Emotional Intelligence
Raise your child's EQ!
Free Stickers
"Pay It Forward"
Promote the pay-it-forward attitude with these stickers. In PDF format, you'll need Adobe Acrobat — most computer users have this already — and Avery #5732 labels. Do you strive to be a better parent?
Please post your questions, concerns, or comments below; I'd love to hear from you.
Damone wrote...
I love this lens. My child was just diagnosed with adhd and I see some great information that could help me with my son. Keep up the great work.
Posted July 03, 2009
ss834 wrote...
You've made a great lens on a very important subject. Thank you for sharing!
Posted June 25, 2009
cjsysreform wrote...
Excellent work. I have a lens on violent crime that might be of interest: http://www.squidoo.com/violentcrime
I've rated this 5* and lensrolled it to Talking to Your Teen About Drugs, at http://www.squidoo.com/parentingteens-drugtalk.
Posted June 24, 2009
Wir55 wrote...
This is a great lens. It's something my own mother could have benefited from!
Posted June 22, 2009
StrangeConversation wrote...
I'd just like to comment that I think you are doing a wonderful job. I am definitely from the school of thought that, as children, so much of what shapes us as adults happens to us while we are growing up. I know this statement seems obvious but there are moments, sometimes what seem insignificant occurances like seeing an altercation between adults in a shop whilst very young, can really affect habits, confidence, social mobility etc., when all grown up.
Keep up the great work. As a sufferer of depression and anxiety I wish I had such opportunities whilst I was growing up. Although it is things that have happened in adulthood that have caused my symptoms I am convinced it was events in my childhood that put me in a situation where depression/anxiety could occur.
Posted June 19, 2009
2Eklectik wrote...
Thank you for such a positive page. My wife and I are always aware of what we say and do around our kids. We are not perfect but we are trying to raise caring, smart, funny, confident kids who are great friends and family members--and happy to!! I am lensrolling this to our American Girl Doll Lens.
Posted June 18, 2009
Cindy_Lee wrote...
This is a great lens. I try hard to raise my children to be confident and loving people. It isn't easy these days with everything they're exposed to. It definately starts at home, and it's great to have places like this to look to for advice.
Posted June 08, 2009
aj2008 wrote...
Am just revisiting the lenses in the Children and Parenting Group to say what a great selection of lenses we have on there and I am really pleased this is one of them!
Posted May 20, 2009
Squidoo is a people-driven source for information on specific topics -- one page per topic. This page (lens) is about building character in children. Members of Squidoo may rate the lens and leave comments. Non-members may comment but not rate a lens. All visitors may use Twitter, Stumble-Upon, and other Social Networking sites to spread the word about this and any lens they find worthwhile. Visitors will find convenient icons for these networking sites in the upper right-hand column. If you'd like to become a member of Squidoo and make your own unique lenses -- exercising your own creativity and giving the world your own unique spin on things -- go here. Get started today.
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You'll be helping an important message reach other parents, grandparents and caregivers.
My Childhood
Stories from my childhood
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About MiMi (GrowWear)
Lensmaster GrowWear, aka MiMi GrowWear, has been a member since January 27 2007, has rated 2,250 lenses, favorited 2,014, and has created 50 lenses from scratch. MiMi GrowWear donates their royalties to Action Against Hunger. This member's top-ranked page is "Pink Tool Kits For Women". See all my lenses
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