Character training has unfortunately gotten lumped in with religious teaching, and I find that many don’t take the time to consider its’ benefits. Yet good character is something that transcends religions and cultures, and is respected universally.

Teaching Character Through All Ages

Character training is most often taught to very young children , in themes like honesty and fairness. Yet, middle school is the time when these traits can really be tested. Tweens and teens suddenly discover there are many grey areas in life. Often times they struggle with the choices they must make, and might feel a little foolish asking for help. These are the times when a few bad choices can turn into a real problem quickly.

Great Character Training Resource

I have found a wonderful on-line teaching guide, Good Character, which focuses on the character issues of middle schoolers. This site has many excellent discussion questions, activities and writing assignments on traits like trustworthiness, courage, citizenship, and fairness, to name a few.

The folks at Good Character go a step further with their teaching guide for Life Skills. The activities here focus on the “Three R‘s of Growing Up: Responsibility, Self-Respect, and Doing the Right Thing.” The tough questions are asked and brainstormed together on topics which teach them how to enhance self-esteem, control emotions and handle pressures.

Best of all, these teaching guides are completely secular, and can thus be used by everyone.