Educating students beyond academics is a widely familiar concept. After all, students and children don’t just grow by learning subjects like math, science, or reading. Exceptional schools recognize the importance of a character education curriculum and its benefits. This enables students to develop their values and become honorable citizens.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, character education is “a learning process that enables students and adults 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.” Character education has countless benefits. Students learn leadership skills, practice ethical behavior, and impact their community.
Character Development and Education
Character education curriculums cultivate positive character traits, values, and principles. Students create healthy habits and behaviors and learn ethical and moral skills beyond the confines of a classroom. Character education prepares students for life outside of the classroom and propels them toward a better future.
Character education helps students become
- Better citizens within their community,
- Equipped to do the right thing in stressful situations,
- Strong and trusted leaders, and
- Confident and resilient adults
The Components of Character Education
A person’s character is comprised of learned principles and beliefs, and certain shared values exist across diverse cultures. These positive character traits benefit the individual and his or her community.
Character education involves teaching and reinforcing:
- Moral and ethical values,
- Social skills,
- Emotional intelligence,
- Citizenship and civic virtue, and
- Self-discipline and self-control.
A character education curriculum teaches students to show empathy and compassion toward their peers. These students work collaboratively despite differences of opinion or background. These skills prepare students for the world they’ll face after the classroom. Students can refine social skills and expand their emotional intelligence with impactful character education. Students develop healthy coping mechanisms and learn how to manage their emotions.
The Role of Teachers and Parents in Character Development
An effective character education curriculum involves collaborative efforts between educators and parents. To maximize the impact of a character education curriculum, the school and parents must uphold similar values. Parents must reinforce the concepts learned at school while teachers and administrators communicate and work in partnership to support the parents in this shared goal.
By doing this, schools can reinforce the value of character education. Students receive similar instruction both at home and at school, leading to a more effective learning experience.
Parents or teachers can incorporate character development in a student’s life at home and school by:
- Facilitating goal setting and accessing progress,
- Encouraging volunteering within the neighborhood, school, or community,
- Reinforcing respect, communicating with peers and other adults, and holding students accountable.
The Benefits of an Impactful Character Education
The benefits of character education are vast and include cultivating positive relationships and social interactions. This creates a well-rounded and responsible citizen. Character education encourages students to succeed beyond the classroom.
Character education is important for a school community, too. Schools that value character education see students performing higher academically. Students can also resolve interpersonal conflicts and have fewer disciplinary issues. They have positive social interactions and collaborate well. They are motivated, confident students who grow into honorable citizens of a community.
The Importance of a Character Education Curriculum
Contact Westminster School to learn why character education is so impactful. Set up a tour today and see our commitment to character education firsthand!
