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Teaching Children The Importance Of Having A Good Character - View Video

Updated on December 4, 2014
Kristine Manley profile image

Kris Manley is a blogger, author, and speaker. She's a guest on radio in the U.S., Canada, and overseas, as well as a guest on network TV.

Character building resources your children will love.


It appears, that in today's society, that individuals who are in the public eye / spotlight are having a terrible time exhibiting good character. What a "hot mess"! I do realize that we humans are not perfect, but we could at least have some decency and think of how we will appear to others and especially to children. Our children are seeing and hearing about people's avoidable indiscretions and downfalls - mind you, I said avoidable. With all the indiscretions and downfalls, at least our children can learn what not to do. Our children learning what not to do starts at home. Some might say it is a difficult task to teach children about the importance of having a good character, but it really isn't. Let's take a look at how having a good character is priceless.

  • Activities provide a great way for kids to learn about building a good character. Activities in which children must take turns provides lessons in patience as well. Remember when you were a child and had to wait in line to either go to lunch, the bathroom, or recess? Were you upset when another child jumped the line ahead of you and that child didn't care what you or the other children thought even through all the loud protests? I remember that. What about activities in which a child must give something away because he or she lost in a game? We used to say, "OK, I lost fair and square," but deep within I still wanted to keep whatever I had, but it was the right thing to do to release what I had.
  • This is a lost thought for some, but teach your child that giving their word and keeping their promise is important. Let your child know that people will trust him or her more if they are known to keep their word or commitment.
  • Having respect for others is important and our children should learn this. Not only should they be taught to respect others, but to respect the possessions of others. My Mom taught me that I should always leave a person, place, or thing in better condition than when I found it.
  • Have conversations with your children about doing the right thing or engage in role playing. To begin the conversation, ask your child for their opinion concerning a situation and see how he or she answers. Talk about their responses and how each response would affect them and the person or people involved in the scenario. Please don't get upset with your child if he or she does not give an answer to your liking; redirect their thought instead to what is the right thing to do.
  • Find children in the news who exhibited good character. There are so many children who have made headlines by doing fundraising, volunteering, finding and returning items, caring for animals, etc. This is going to take some research on the part of parents.
  • There are wonderful books on character building for children. Not only will they learn about character they can increase their vocabulary and expand their imagination. Books on character building can evoke a child's soft side. If a child reads a story about how badly another child was treated then the story could instill compassion, care, and helpfulness - the child reading the story can feel for the child in the story, empathizing. Sit down a talk with your child about the story and ask questions on what the child would have done differently if it were him or her in the story.


  • Having a good character will cause people to want to be around you. My grandmother used to say, "no one likes a low-down person." Some of you might be laughing at that phrase, but grandma shot straight from the hip. Our children need to know that a person known to have a good character is a welcome person. You will be welcome to dinner, on outings, at events, at parties, at sleepovers and in others' home. Parents will want a child of good character to be friends with their children because a child of good character is one that can have a positive influence.

  • Discipline is always a part of building a good character. We must teach children that it is ok to admit a wrong and that admitting a wrong might have some adverse consequences. I remember my Mom breaking a large vase at a gift shop. No one was in the aisle except us so she didn't have to say anything. My first thought was to leave, but Mom went and got a store employee and told them what happened. The store employee said to my Mom that the store policy states, and is posted on the front door, that if anyone breaks an item they will have to pay for it - Mom said she knew that and paid for the item. The store employee thanked my Mom for being honest.

  • Lead by example. If the parent is rude and nasty, then nine out of ten times, the child will be rude and nasty. Be pleasant and say please and thank you and teach your child to do the same even if others don't exhibit pleasantries. Children need to know that having good manners goes a long way - grandma used to say you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.

What a great video!

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