In the formative years of elementary school, students learn more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. Because children spend so much of their time at school, the classroom can be pivotal in helping them develop life skills and inner qualities that will shape their futures. Character education meets this developmental need by teaching traits such as kindness, perseverance, and self-control in afterschool, summer, or in-school settings.
What is Character Education?
The U.S. Department of Education defines character education as “a learning process that enables students in a school community to understand, care about and act on core ethical values such as respect, justice, civic virtue and citizenship, and responsibility for self and others (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).”
Character education utilizes different types of activities and teaching modalities to help children develop character traits. For example, the Charity for Change curriculum has students work together practicing positive character traits as they complete curriculum activities. These activities include mindfulness, animated math, hands-on projects for charities, community involvement, interactive videos, puzzles, plays, parent activities, and kinesthetic games.
9 Long-term Benefits of Character Education for Students
Academic learning is not enough for the development of the whole child. Children must become resilient and develop the life skills they need to be successful in school, future careers, and life. Research reveals that the benefits of character education extend far beyond the classroom.
Here are some key long-term benefits of character education:
- Improved Academic Performance: The development of traits like self-control and responsibility directly impacts their study habits and attitude toward learning. Research indicates that character education leads to better academic outcomes (Jeynes, 2017).
- More Social Skills; Less Isolation and Bullying: Children learn to interact positively with peers and adults, which results in better relationships and less isolation. Improving students’ social skills reduces incidences of bullying and conflict.
- Reduced Behavioral Issues: Schools that incorporate character education report fewer behavioral problems because students learn to manage their emotions and actions. Children who learn qualities like self-control and responsibility are better equipped to handle stress, resist negative impulses, and make thoughtful decisions.
- Better Relationships: When students learn traits like kindness, respect, and tolerance, they also learn to consider the feelings and needs of others. Their increased empathy and compassion lead to better interactions and relationships in school and as an adult.
- Higher Self-Esteem: Children who practice traits like respect, perseverance, and cooperation tend to have higher self-esteem, as they feel valued and competent.
- Better Problem-Solving Skills: Traits like cooperation and respect enhance children’s ability to work through conflicts and challenges constructively.
- Positive Community Involvement: Students engaged in character education are more likely to participate in community service and understand the importance of being contributing citizens. The Charity for Change Program, for example, engages students in community service projects and supporting local charities. This helps students realize their role in their community and the impact they can have.
- More Resilience: Individuals with strong character strengths demonstrate greater resilience because they can turn to their core values during difficult times.
- Lifelong Ethical Foundation: The character traits developed in elementary school lay the groundwork for ethical behavior throughout life. An individual’s ethical framework influences decisions in personal and professional spheres. Research shows that character education produces higher levels of empathy, integrity, compassion, and self-discipline (Jeynes, 2017).
Addressing Societal Challenges
The Charity for Change curriculum focuses on character education that teaches children to care about each other and the world around them. Character education instills qualities like empathy and resilience, which address the root causes of hatred, bullying, and violence. Collectively, the development of positive character traits can create a safer, more harmonious society.
The importance of character education is increasingly recognized by educators and the Department of Education. The United States Congress authorized the Partnerships in Character Education Program back in 1994. Congress and the Department of Education expanded support for character education over the last decade, providing grants that enable schools throughout the nation to implement character education (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).
“Nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue.”
— Benjamin Franklin
By teaching character traits such as kindness, respect, and self-control, we prepare children for the challenges of school and life. Yet, the benefits of character education extend far beyond individual students, building a more compassionate and engaged society. Is character education the key to building a future free of hatred, violence, bullying, and division?
Are you searching for a curriculum that teaches children respect and other character traits?
The Charity for Change curriculum is affirming, encouraging and builds resiliency in young learners. The curriculum includes:
- Project-Based Learning
- Mindfulness Discussions
- Peer-to-Peer Interaction
- Math
- Kinesthetic Activities
- Puzzles and Reader’s Theatre
- Family Engagement
Learn more about the Charity for Change Program.
Written by Karen Conley,
CEO and founder of Charity for Change
References:
CHDS School Shooting Safety Compendium, (n.d.). Shooting Incidents at K-12 Schools (Jan. 1970-June 2022). Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://www.chds.us/sssc/charts-graphs
Jeynes, William, (2017). A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Character Education and Student Achievement and Behavioral Outcomes. Sage Journals. Retrieved May 16, 2024 from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013124517747681
Rapa, L. J., Katsiyannis, A., Scott, S. N., & Durham, O. (2024). School shootings in the United States: 1997-2022. Pediatrics, 153(4), e2023064311. Retrieved from https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/4/e2023064311/196816/School-Shootings-in-the-United-States-1997-2022?autologincheck=redirected
U.S. Department of Education, (n.d.). Character Education…Our Shared Responsibility. U.S. Department of Education website. Retrieved May 14, 2024 from https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/character/brochure.html
