Helping kids develop character

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One of my most favorite, satisfying and challenging parts of being a teacher is helping kids develop lasting habits of character. In my classroom, we have a list of 13 habits of character that are infused in everything that we do. And I value the character learning as much as – if not more – than the academic learning. This list includes: honesty, respect, responsibility and several others. And the main way that adults can help the kids to develop these habits is by being a model. That is always the most important thing adults can do in trying to teach something to kids – by living out these ideas every day. Teaching honesty by being honest; teaching respect by being respectful. After that, I think it’s important to be explicit with the kids and teach character as we would teach academic skills. So listing these habits, defining them in ways that kids understand and following through various life situations, taking advantage of teachable moments, learnable moments and have the kids gradually develop these over time.

Video Categories: ALL PARENTS, Parenting, Teachable Moments, ELEMENTARY, Elementary Education, Life at Elementary School

Author, Teacher, and Speaker Steve Reifman shares advice for parents on how to help kids develop lasting habits of good character in school and life

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Expert Bio

Steve Reifman

Teacher, Author & Speaker

Steve Reifman is a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, author, and speaker in Santa Monica, CA. He has written several resource books for educators and parents, including Changing Kids’ Lives One Quote at a Time, Eight Essentials for Empowered Teaching and Learning, K-8, and Rock It! In addition, Steve has created a series of shorter, e-book resources for educators, including The First 10 Minutes: A Classroom Morning Routine that Reaches and Teaches the Whole Child, The First 30 Days: Start Your School Year with 4 Priorities in Mind, and 2-Minute Biographies for Kids: Inspirational Success Stories About 19 Famous People and the Importance of Education. He is also the creator of the Chase Manning Mystery Series for children 8-12 years of age. For Teaching Tips, articles, and other valuable resources and strategies on teaching the whole child, visit and subscribe at stevereifman.com. subscribe to his “Teaching Kids” YouTube channel, check out his two professional development courses for educators on Udemy.com, and visit his Teachers Pay Teachers page.