In case you're looking for resources for your own school, community or family, please be sure to stop by the Characters of Character website http://charactersofcharacter.org/index.php/testimonials/ to see the great books and activities they offer to teach our children these vital core values. On the fence, check this out:
The program has had a wonderful impact on the children here. The different animal characters keep the interest of the preschool aged children especially while discussing some of the hard to grasp concepts such as self-esteem and respect. The children identity with the characters, and are excited to have the characters visit. They love being read to and want to hear more about the different characters. The children became more aware of themselves and others and how they feel or treat each other on a daily basis. Reinforcement from the teachers and tying it into what they discuss with the children also kept this momentum in the classroom. For example, if children were having a hard time with saying “please” and “Thank you” and using their manners appropriately the teachers would ask the children, “What words would Manners Monkey use right now?” This program also helped the teachers to introduce these same concepts to the children without having to come up with a story themselves. Each “Character” has his own short story ready for the teachers to read to the children with ample room to expand on each concept as they read through the book. Each page gives space for teachers to ask the children questions involved them in the understanding of each trait by giving their own examples and experiences. They can also get ideas and valuable reproducible from the different booklets included in each trait.
The parents have given good feedback as well to having a formal character education program at our school. With the topic of bullying being more prevalent these days the parents like that we are starting the children early with character education. Parents are even talking about which “Character” is coming next to visit us and getting the children excited about each visit.
Characters of Character has been a wonderful addition to our program and helped to reinforce some of the concepts the teachers were already talking about with the children as well as introduce new concepts to the children.
Sandy JennerPrincipal, Chesterbrook Academy
