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Child Development. Chapter Two – Character Building Mr. Marquis. What is Character?. Character is the development and application of commonly held principles which promote personal growth, establish good citizenship and support society.
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Child Development Chapter Two – Character Building Mr. Marquis
What is Character? Character is the development and application of commonly held principles which promote personal growth, establish good citizenship and support society. People who have character possess moral strength and integrity – they understand the difference between right and wrong
Character and Well-Being Character affects your choice of friends, activities, interests and behaviors. When you abide by the expectations, rules and laws of your family, school and community, you are more likely to behave responsibly and make thoughtful decisions The choices you make have consequences, some positive, some negative A consequence is something that follows as a result of an action or choice
Character and Well-Being As you continue to mature, your struggles and successes will help strengthen your character A mentor is a person who acts as a teacher and guide You may know a person who helps you develop character This person may be a relative, friend or someone in your community who invests time and energy in helping you grow
Recognizing Values Values are the foundation upon which character is built. Values are beliefs and ideas about what you think is important. For example, people with integrity have high principles and standards, they resist social pressure to do what they think is wrong, and they live by their values. Many values are universal, such as integrity, fairness and compassion Although different levels of importance are placed on them, even amongst your friends, you may have similar values but express them differently
Thinking Map Time! • Create a Circle Map in your notes • In the center circle write, “Expressing Values” • Around the circle map, list these ways of expressing values while adding your own definition for each • Responsibility • Trustworthiness • Respect • Self-Discipline • Citizenship
Acquiring Values You began learning values the day you are born Some are learned directly through teaching Other are learned indirectly through observation The family home is usually the first place you learn values School, community, religion and culture also play major roles in the formation of values – for many people these can offer guidelines to live by. Society teaches values through laws The media can influence how values are formed by implying looking good and having fun are more important values than respect for yourself and others.
Live by Your Values • Strong values will help you make wise choices when faced with negative influences: • Consider the consequences • Listen to your conscience. Conscience is the thinking that leads you to do right rather than wrong. • Turn to your family • Gain knowledge • Evaluate the source • Talk to others
Setting Your Standards You already understand that actions resulting from your decisions may be negative or positive, but as you mature you will be better able to predict what the consequences will be for your decisions. Personal Standard is a rule or principle you set for yourself. If guides your behavior by defining what you do and do not do. Setting personal standards ahead of time is a way of being proactive. Proactive means you take the initiative to think and plan ahead for situations you might encounter.
Setting Your Standards Proactive people take control of life experiences rather than letting life experiences control them. Personal standards help prevent you from making choices based on the mood of the moment or on peer pressure Peer Pressure is the influence of others in your age group
Handling Peer Pressure • Peer pressure can cause enormous amounts of stress, which can lead to both physical and mental health problems. Tips for dealing with peer pressure: • Spend time with friends who make you feel happy and accepted as you are • List the names of friends you have now or have had in the past that accepted you for who you are • Walk away from any situation if you feel uncomfortable because of peer pressure • Describe a situation where you should have walked away, but stayed because of peer pressure
Mr. Marquis Says - The only people you should consider your real friends are the ones who only want the best for you – why else would you keep anyone else in your life? Friends who put you in a position to get in trouble or compromise your values or safety are not really your friends. If they were your true friends, they would understand and respect your decisions and choices to avoid those situations.
Values Guide Your Standards As you build your value system and set your personal standards, you need to be prepared to keep, defend, adjust and strengthen your values. Sound judgment and discretion will assist you. Discretion is the good judgment and sensitivity needed to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others, and the keep sensitive information private. When taking a position, be sure your reasoning is clear and logical.
Guidelines to Follow • Follow the Rules of Society • Rules are based on values that respect life, property and truth. • Following laws and rules builds strength in a society and people who follow the law earn respect and opportunity • Learn from Others • Learn from the mistakes and successes of people around you. • Knowing about the experiences of other people can help strengthen your own values • Know What You Value • Think about what is important to you, this will help you to know what your values are
When Values are Confusing As you mature, you become more involved with people and events outside your family and circle of friends You will become aware of how values can sometimes conflict You may question why some people believe the way they do when your beliefs are just the opposite It is important to stay true to the values and personal standards you have set for yourself When you find yourself in these types of situations, remind yourself of your personal standards and act accordingly
Making Ethical Choices In addition to defining your values and setting your personal standards, you also develop your character by making ethical choices. Ethics are the principles and values that guide the way you live. They are based one what is fair, right, just, caring and best for all people I involved.
Code of Ethics A common story for an ethical dilemma is a father, having no money to feed his starving family, steals food to feed himself and his family. Stealing is wrong, but so is allowing your family to starve. Luckily, most ethical dilemmas are more clear cut than this, meaning if you use you values to guide your decision making, the answer should be clear. Ethical decisions may or may not involve legal considerations – spreading gossip around school is not illegal, but you know it is an unethical behavior.
Character in Action Values and ethics mean nothing without action. When you develop positive values, set personal standards and make ethical decisions – you show your character in action. Developing character is a learning process. There will be times when you will make a poor choice and fail to act on your values – learn from the experience and move on. Character is rooted in positive values.
What kind of person are you when no one is around? At the end of the day, the only who can ultimately be accountable for your actions is you. When you look in the mirror, only you know if you have lived up to your values and personal standards. Do you make the right choices because you do not want to get caught, or do you make the right choices because that is who you are?
