Welcome to an exciting new way to help your children develop their moral character.

Respect and citizenship. Hope and compassion. Courage and honesty. Excellence, perseverance and responsibility. These are key character traits that will benefit not just your children, but your entire family. But what's the best way to teach these qualities to your kids?

Character Crew is here to help. With a fun refrigerator poster, interesting activities and cool stories, Champ - our character mascot - will make learning enjoyable. Simply hang the poster on your refrigerator and spend a month or so doing several of the activities we provide. You can find each character trait's story and other information in the articles that follow. Let the training begin!

Respect

Showing consideration and regard for yourself, others and the world around you

Discuss the benefits of treating others in the same way you would like to be treated. Help your child understand that all people have value and therefore should be treated with respect.

People show respect in many ways. They speak and act kindly, avoid insults, cruel comments and rude language. They are courteous and considerate to family members and treat others fairly, regardless of race, sex, age or ethnic group. They demonstrate respect for people who do not share their beliefs, likes, and dislikes.

American writer James Baldwin once said, "Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." Children learn respect (or disrespect) from how we treat them and others. They reflect back everything we, as parents, say and do. When we give children the same respect we demand, we are modeling this important character trait. Remember, how we teach them is what we teach them.

To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment

Hope is usually described with such metaphors as: a ray, a beam, a glimmer of hope; the break in the clouds; the light at the end of the dark tunnel. It is often discovered in unexpected places and in unexpected ways.

Life is full of a series of challenges that we must face. Although these challenges may seem impossible at times, they are probably there for a reason. My father used to say, "It is the sandpaper that makes the wood smooth." Help your children learn the value of hope in all they do.

No matter what sort of adversity or challenge we face, we can always believe that, with hope, it can be conquered and, in the end, we will be stronger for it. Life does go on despite our circumstances. Hopefully, you will pass on this valuable lesson to your children.

Courage

To face a challenge without fear; having the determination to do the right thing even when others don't

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is taking action in the face of fear.

Courage is often associated with soldiers, police officers, fire fighters, and astronauts. These people are courageous, but it also takes courage to be a good parent and a good citizen.

It takes courage to fight the temptations and struggles in everyday life. It takes courage to succeed when others would like to see you fail. Finally, it takes courage to stand up for those less fortunate. No one would disagree that courage is a valuable character trait - one that will serve as a foundational piece in your child's life.

Being truthful in words and deeds

Honesty means acting in a trustworthy way so that you will respect yourself and be respected by others. When children practice honesty, they:

Do the right thing (integrity).

Can be counted on to do what they say they will do (trustworthy).

Won't take things they don't deserve (fairness and honor).

Say what they mean and mean what they say (sincere and truthful).

Excellence

The quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

Remember that no responsibility is more important than spending some time with your child explaining the virtues of building strong character. Spend some time reading the story, discussing the questions, and performing some of the additional activities associated with honesty.

When children try to do their best in everything they do, it affects their attitude, confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and pride. When excellence is praised, children develop the habit. As parents/guardians, we should set aside time to teach our children character traits that will make them outstanding, admired citizens. Every day is filled with opportunities for helping them to learn about the character traits we value and want to encourage.

This character trait package provides suggestions of good activities for excellence. But you, as the child's most important teacher, are the best judge of which activities are the most appropriate.

Perseverance

Adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

When we persevere, we:

Do our best with what we have.

Keep trying; we don't quit or give up easily.

Never make excuses for obstacles that get in the way of getting something done. Instead we look for ways to remove or work around the obstacles.

There is a poem on the Web site titled "The Race." This poem exemplifies perseverance. The last few lines of the poem read:

For all of life is like a race, with ups and downs and all.

And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

"Quit!" "Give up, you're beaten!" They still shout in my face.

But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"

Spend some time with your child explaining the importance of "staying the course" and doing the best you can. And, read "The Race" together. You will be glad you did.

Responsibility

Taking care of one's self and others; to carry out a duty or task carefully and thoroughly