Character Education 

· Be a positive role mode for your child in actions as well as words. Children may close their ears to advice, but they open their eyes to example.

• Put yourself in someone else's shoes and encourage your child to do the same by practicing sensitivity and empathy.
• Teach expectations of right and wrong to your children and encourage them to live up to their beliefs even when others do not.
• Children need limits. Set them and insist they be respected.
• Allow and encourage your child to do things for him/herself at an early age.   Build on these independent tasks as your child matures and becomes ready for them.
• Teach your child to treat others with courtesy and respect.
• Listen to your child. Encourage open communication.
• Help your child understand and celebrate all people.
• Allow, and encourage, your child to solve his/her own day-to-day problems.   Discuss options and give encouragement, but avoid taking over unless it is necessary.      
• Share your heroes with your child. Explain why you admire certain people and which qualities they possess.
• Practice good citizenship by involving your family in community activities.
• Share household tasks with all family members, allowing them to see the relationship between rights and responsibilities.
• Help your child understand that a reputation, good or bad, is easy to get but difficult to change.
• Demonstrate and encourage healthy ways to resolve conflict both inside and outside of your home.
• Hold yourself and other family members accountable for living up to the concepts of good character.
• Answer your child?s questions with respect, and expect your child to do the same with your questions.
• Remind your child to say "please" and 'thank you".
• Praise your child when deserved.
• Make a bid deal of the family meal.
• Develop an ear and an eye for what your children are absorbing.
• Review how you spend the hours and days of your week with your children.
• Put parenting first.