Discover how to build strong character in yourself, totally transform your life in the process, and you will be ready to help young people do the same thing. Children and teenagers are able to develop high moral values in their lives, but until you yourself become a model, you cannot successfully teach them how to build strong character. Assuming you have taken the steps presented in part one of this article, how can you guide young people in the development of high moral values?
Young people learn how to build strong character in much the same way as we adults do. We begin by finding out what the benefits are. What's so great about it? What do children and teenagers have to gain? Or, as teens themselves might ask in current slang: "WIIFM? - what's in it for me?" They may text that to one another while you're talking!
Benefits for Teenagers
"Learn how to build strong character as a teenager," you urge, "and you'll gain awesome advantages!" Some teens will smile at you, but others will glare with skepticism. They'll demand to know exactly what benefits they'll get from this apparently boring activity. Be prepared to make it exciting rather than boring, and then give clear, practical examples of perks such as the three below.
· Zit relief: Sure! Begin with something that bothers teenagers. Explain that learning how to build strong character traits such as self-control, determination, and persistence will help keep zits at bay. Determined, persistent self-control of lifestyle factors can greatly reduce the frequency and intensity of teenage acne issues.
· Peer pressure proofing:Most teens are well aware of the pressure to conform to their peer group. Many, whether willing to admit it or not, have encountered situations in which they'd rather not conform. Discovering how to build strong character will help them develop convictions - and the courage of their convictions.
· Academic skill: They may never admit it, but most teenagers would like to have a personal genie that would help them achieve higher grades in school. Whet their appetites for learning how to build strong character traits that are better than genies: responsibility, diligence, and punctuality.
Benefits for Children
What's in it for children who have not yet reached their teen years?
Learning how to build strong character can work a total transformation in children, too. Even toddlers who are too young to connect activity to rewards will profit. Three-to-eight-year-old children are more able to understand that their own moral actions can bring good to them. Nine-to-twelve-year-old young people will readily grasp the concept.
As you would with teenagers, be prepared to inject excitement when you teach children how to build strong character - and offer "wages" they'll love. Explain that they will earn clear benefits such as these.
· Friends: Children almost always want more friends, just as you and I do. They want other people to like them and want to play with them. Explain that learning how to build strong character traits such as kindness, respect, compassion, fairness, and trustworthiness will make people like them better.
· Happiness:What child wants to be unhappy? Like you, children want happiness. Show them how happiness increases when they learn how to build strong character traits such as self-control. When they take power over their own anger, adults won't need to take control. Temper tantrums aren't fun for anyone, you know.
· Independence: It doesn't take children long to develop a longing for independence. "I can do it myself" may be lisped by even a very young child. You can get them excited about learning how to build strong character by showing them how traits such as responsibility, determination, and perseverance lead to greater independence.
Put a little effort into it, and you yourself will be amazed at the enormous benefits of teaching young people how to build strong character.
Know How to Use Books
Show how to build strong character by giving young people purpose-written books, i.e., books that have as their express purpose the teaching of specific moral values. Look for fiction that weaves subtle lessons into exciting plots.
For younger children, choose proactive, teaching fiction that is non-threatening - stories that make the lesson fun, easy to understand, and effective. At this level, books need not cloak the fact that they are teaching how to build strong character. Young children need clarity and repetition to understand.
Older children enjoy series-type books that follow the same hero or heroine through one adventure after another. Plots should be exciting and demand involvement. Mysteries, for example, encourage readers to identify with protagonists and interact as they try to solve the mystery with them. Even those who don't want to learn how to build strong character will get caught up in the fiction and, even inadvertently, come away with understanding.
Teenagers often plant their feet firmly against all attempts to pull them into morality. They don't want to hear what they should and should not do. They are wary of any attempt to teach them how to build strong character traits, even after you've shown them the benefits of such activity. Don't despair. Come in under their radar with teen novels that look like anything other than moral teaching - but subtly weave robust lessons into captivating plots. Some of these novels are actually best-sellers!
Applying Book Knowledge
Young people will benefit somewhat simply by reading such books. If you're serious about training them in how to build strong character, however, you'll need to go back to Part One of this article and teach them to apply the same four steps you had to apply: understand, desire, set goals, and action.
Conclusion
Learn how to build strong character. Encourage young people to do the same. Teach them carefully to be sure they can do it even when you are not at their sides. Not only will you make an astounding change for the better in your own life - you will also contribute to a breathtaking, positive improvement in society.
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© 2010, Elizabeth L Hamilton. Elizabeth invites you to begin your teaching of how to build strong character with the clear definitions she offers at http://www.character-in-action.com. Elizabeth has posted many articles there, too, about high moral values. If you have understood the great value of books written expressly for the purpose, you will want to see the Character Books she offers for every age group.
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