CHARACTER COUNTS! for Families

Good character doesn’t just happen. It is a result of parents who intentionally teach their children about character.

What is character?

Moral character includes values we need to be our best self, like the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring & citizenship.
Performance character focuses on values that help us do our best work, like diligence, imagination, work ethic, dependability, and a positive attitude.

We Can Help

Our Family’s Guide to Teaching Good Character is a great tool for anyone who wants to start or continue teaching their kids about values and making good choices.

Plus, these guides are written by parents who have been successfully using the Six Pillars of Character with their own kids.

Family Guide

Read or download our free Family’s Guide to Teaching Good Character.

Click here for the Spanish version.

Free Online Resources

Check out Character 365 for more tips on teaching character skills like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.

Workshop

Increasing Positve Parent Engagement

This workshop focuses on increasing positive parent engagement in the education of their children.

The workshop equips parents with tools and strategies to use at home to support the school’s CC! efforts.

Parents will learn how to encourage and model the Six Pillars of Character at home, especially in challenging situations. If requested, the parent sessions may also address managing behaviors of at-risk youth.

The TEAM Approach

Teach children that their character counts. The Six Pillars of Character provide the vocabulary words to teach your children about character.

Enforce and encourage the Six Pillars of Character. Reward good behavior (usually praise is enough) and discourage bad behavior by imposing fair and consistent consequences.

Advocate character. Continually encourage children to live up to the Six Pillars of Character.

Model good behavior. Everything you say and do (or neglect to do) sends a message about your values. Be sure that these messages reinforce your lessons about doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. When you slip, be accountable; apologize sincerely, and do better!

Family Resource

Today Counts

The Today Counts flipbook provides daily discussion prompts and activities based on a story or quotation.

Families can reflect on questions individually or in a family conversation. The prompts get everyone thinking about what good character looks like in their lives and encourages them to embrace multiple perspectives.