The Importance of Character Education in Today's World
Sunday, May 21, 2017
What is character?
To understand what character education is, it is essential to define what character is. These are the qualities that people see in each other, making up their personality. These are the values that make you, YOU. Character is not something that people are born with, nor can we expect parents to be the sole providers of ‘good character’, nor can it be ‘taught’ from a textbook. There are many significant factors involved in the development of one’s character, from family, community and school, among others.
How is character formed?
Chiefly anything that bears a significant influence on you, through amount of time, interaction and content will shape you. The more time that a child spends with a person, the more they will absorb and be shaped by that person’s views and actions. This is the same for any ‘substitute’, like TV, video games, mobile phones, iPads, etc. If your child is spending a significant amount of time being pacified by a device, then it goes without saying that very little character education is going on. If your child is constantly being exposed to the latest D-list celebrity via vapid TV shows, then don’t be surprised if your child begins to emulate them.
Character education
Character education is a long and sustained process that involves many people. Values begin at home, with family. The role of parents and other family members in shaping a child’s beliefs, morals and conduct cannot be underestimated. If character education is integrated into the school curriculum, then development is reinforced.
Within a school, character education is the deliberate effort of school to develop individuals who are conscientious and principled. It is a teaching method which fosters ethical and social responsibility in people, by teaching them the value of caring about others, honesty, kindness and compassion, responsibility and other important traits. Because of the amount of time a child spends at school, it is the ideal environment to instill values in them.
Effective character education in schools comes about when development is integrated into every lesson and routine, from science, to physical education, to maths, to language arts, etc. If a child is then allowed plenty of experiential opportunities to exercise their values through face-to-face interaction, these are then transmitted into the wider community.
Why is it important?
Character development in children is becomingly increasingly fractured as various technologies compete for their time and attention. Parental care and guidance is significantly lower than ever, as increasing work and financial burdens mean that parents are working longer, and have less time to spend with their children.
It is no coincidence then that we are simultaneously seeing a rise in suicides, mental health issues, self-esteem and image concerns, cyber-bullying and narcissism (selfie-culture) in young people. This is a direct result of not bolstering their defenses to help them navigate difficult issues and times in their lives.
Character education is far richer and more nuanced, moving beyond aspects like civic-mindedness and good behaviour. It helps children tap into their social and emotional growth, builds resilience, develops moral reasoning, builds ethical and critical thinking skills, as well as conflict resolution and mediation abilities. These are undeniably useful life skills that will be valued and used throughout a lifetime. It is these skills which will help them maneuver through life’s sometimes turbulent waters, giving them the internal strength to face difficulties with grace, selflessness, dignity and courage.
Research has found that character education also significantly helps students in academic subjects, by instilling diligence and responsibility and enabling them to focus and stay motivated in their studies. Evidence shows there are fewer incidences of suspensions, truancy and disciplinary referrals, higher attendance, better self-esteem and academic performance when character education is integrated into a school’s curriculum. Building character also enables children to interact well with their teachers and peers, ensuring a more productive and engaging learning environment. As children grow, this transforms into engaging interaction with other people in society.
The development of our children’s character cannot be taken lightly for it signifies the type of community and society we will have in the future. Character education provides them with the very tools necessary to face the opportunities, pressures and challenges of the 21st century in a way that will allow them to thrive and be successful.
Here at Mighty Oaks, our ethos centers on an integrated curriculum of discovery, experiential learning and character building, based on the nine “fruit of the spirit” - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Come and join our Open Day to see us in action. We are offering trial classes for children to participate and enjoy our teaching activities. We look forward to welcoming you at Mighty Oaks!
Playgroups are a popular way of socialising your little one as a first introduction to school. Read our article written by Hong Kong Playgroup Specialist who put together "a short guide to etiquette to help you navigate your new playgroup! "
➡【Join our Mighty Oaks family!/ 快來加入奧恩大家庭】
➡【 Sign up for Acorn Trial Class now!/Acorn 試堂優惠】
To understand what character education is, it is essential to define what character is. These are the qualities that people see in each other, making up their personality. These are the values that make you, YOU. Character is not something that people are born with, nor can we expect parents to be the sole providers of ‘good character’, nor can it be ‘taught’ from a textbook. There are many significant factors involved in the development of one’s character, from family, community and school, among others.
How is character formed?
Chiefly anything that bears a significant influence on you, through amount of time, interaction and content will shape you. The more time that a child spends with a person, the more they will absorb and be shaped by that person’s views and actions. This is the same for any ‘substitute’, like TV, video games, mobile phones, iPads, etc. If your child is spending a significant amount of time being pacified by a device, then it goes without saying that very little character education is going on. If your child is constantly being exposed to the latest D-list celebrity via vapid TV shows, then don’t be surprised if your child begins to emulate them.
Character education
Character education is a long and sustained process that involves many people. Values begin at home, with family. The role of parents and other family members in shaping a child’s beliefs, morals and conduct cannot be underestimated. If character education is integrated into the school curriculum, then development is reinforced.
Within a school, character education is the deliberate effort of school to develop individuals who are conscientious and principled. It is a teaching method which fosters ethical and social responsibility in people, by teaching them the value of caring about others, honesty, kindness and compassion, responsibility and other important traits. Because of the amount of time a child spends at school, it is the ideal environment to instill values in them.
Effective character education in schools comes about when development is integrated into every lesson and routine, from science, to physical education, to maths, to language arts, etc. If a child is then allowed plenty of experiential opportunities to exercise their values through face-to-face interaction, these are then transmitted into the wider community.
Why is it important?
Character development in children is becomingly increasingly fractured as various technologies compete for their time and attention. Parental care and guidance is significantly lower than ever, as increasing work and financial burdens mean that parents are working longer, and have less time to spend with their children.
It is no coincidence then that we are simultaneously seeing a rise in suicides, mental health issues, self-esteem and image concerns, cyber-bullying and narcissism (selfie-culture) in young people. This is a direct result of not bolstering their defenses to help them navigate difficult issues and times in their lives.
Character education is far richer and more nuanced, moving beyond aspects like civic-mindedness and good behaviour. It helps children tap into their social and emotional growth, builds resilience, develops moral reasoning, builds ethical and critical thinking skills, as well as conflict resolution and mediation abilities. These are undeniably useful life skills that will be valued and used throughout a lifetime. It is these skills which will help them maneuver through life’s sometimes turbulent waters, giving them the internal strength to face difficulties with grace, selflessness, dignity and courage.
Research has found that character education also significantly helps students in academic subjects, by instilling diligence and responsibility and enabling them to focus and stay motivated in their studies. Evidence shows there are fewer incidences of suspensions, truancy and disciplinary referrals, higher attendance, better self-esteem and academic performance when character education is integrated into a school’s curriculum. Building character also enables children to interact well with their teachers and peers, ensuring a more productive and engaging learning environment. As children grow, this transforms into engaging interaction with other people in society.
The development of our children’s character cannot be taken lightly for it signifies the type of community and society we will have in the future. Character education provides them with the very tools necessary to face the opportunities, pressures and challenges of the 21st century in a way that will allow them to thrive and be successful.
Here at Mighty Oaks, our ethos centers on an integrated curriculum of discovery, experiential learning and character building, based on the nine “fruit of the spirit” - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Come and join our Open Day to see us in action. We are offering trial classes for children to participate and enjoy our teaching activities. We look forward to welcoming you at Mighty Oaks!
Playgroups are a popular way of socialising your little one as a first introduction to school. Read our article written by Hong Kong Playgroup Specialist who put together "a short guide to etiquette to help you navigate your new playgroup! "
➡【Join our Mighty Oaks family!/ 快來加入奧恩大家庭】
➡【 Sign up for Acorn Trial Class now!/Acorn 試堂優惠】
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