My kids recently started a pen pal relationship with two children who live across the ocean. A friend I met when I did volunteer work in Israel (who is actually originally from the Philippines and now lives in Ireland) has children of the same age and, after discussing the possibility of our kids becoming pen pals via Facebook, we just received our first… {read more}
Character Building Activities
13 Literacy Activities That Build Character
My oldest son (now five and a half years old) is learning to write and read, so I have been brainstorming ideas for literacy activities that build character to include in our regular activity time. By now he has a fairly good working knowledge of quite a few character traits, so our activities can easily… {read more}
100 (More) Activities to Teach Kids Good Character
Since publishing 100 Kids Activities to Build Character, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response of parents and teachers who have been using my activities and resources in their homes and classrooms. It brings me great joy to know that the ideas are reaching so many children around the world. (Thank you for your kind… {read more}
10+ Simple Handmade Gifts from Children
Making and giving handmade presents has several character building benefits for children: They have an opportunity to demonstrate empathy by thinking about what another person would like and creativity by choosing a unique gift to make for them. They have the chance to think about friendship by looking for ways to make their friends happy and thoughtfulness by making someone else feel loved and appreciated. They will… {read more}
10 {Fun!} Ways to Help Kids Appreciate Diversity
One quality I hope to encourage my children to develop is a deep appreciation for others, regardless of sex, age, religious or cultural background. Being a multicultural family our kids have seen that it is fun to learn about new countries and cultures through traveling to see family members and enjoying the various customs of relatives that we… {read more}
5 Ways to Help Children Develop Generosity
Generosity is a wonderful trait to develop year round, but I especially try to focus on “giving” during times and events when the family (and much of society) is tempted to focus on “getting.” Here are five ways to add an element of generosity into birthdays and holidays:
6 Hands-On Activities to Teach Kids About Patience
When I explain character traits to my kids along with an activity they can experience through their senses, it is always more memorable (as well as fun). For example, showing that love is like the sun that warms us and brings light to the world… by going outside and feeling the sunshine. Or explaining how… {read more}
10 Practical Ways to Help Kids Make New Friends
Friendliness, and the confidence to make friends, is important for all children to develop so they can get along with others. Sometimes as adults who have had so many experiences meeting new people, we may forget how hard it can be for our kids to put themselves out there and talk to people they do… {read more}
