Stress kindness, courtesy & other positive values

Most schools value good citizens as much as “A” students. If your child shows upright character, she helps to make her school a better place to learn.

Encourage your child to behave in a moral way by:

Noticing good words and actions. When was the last time you told your child, “That was so kind of you,” or “Thank you for being so polite”?
Making clear the behavior you want to see. Have consequences, which your child should know in advance, for not meeting this behavior. Offer more freedom when expectations are met.
Urging her to set an example for others. Remind her that younger siblings, or other young children she knows, are looking up to her.
Talking about your own mistakes. Use mistakes as an opportunity to learn. Correct them and work to keep the same thing from happening again. Let your child know you want her to have the same attitude about mistakes.

Reprinted with permission from the March 2005 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2005 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: “100 Ways to Promote Character Education in the School,” The South Carolina Department of Education, www.myscschools.com/reports/chredap1.htm.