Aristotle wisely stated, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Character education is so important and often overlooked as the curriculum and standardized testing become the priority. I once had an interview for a kindergarten class and it was for a full day position. I asked when the Kindergartners were taught healthy living, character education, and social skills. I explained that in my previous kindergarten position, we would put those skills into practice through 20 minutes of free play. The administrator said that they don’t teach or value any of those things. The students have literacy, math, social studies and science, one hour and thirty minutes for each subject per day. I declined the position because I didn’t agree with the reasoning or philosophy behind that. I believe that kids need the opportunity and place to practice skills like sharing, compromise, disappointment, turn taking, risk taking, being a friend, and developing empathy as they consider someone else. If testing determines our teaching methods and content, it’s not surprising that children are lacking in crucial qualities such as compassion, care, and understanding. We look at the world and wonder why kids are quick tempered, rude, unappreciative, easily distracted, without manners, and lacking self control.
I belong to several teaching groups where educators are feeling overwhelmed and encountering behaviors and attitudes they’ve never faced before. A significant number of teachers are leaving the profession. Additionally, parents are feeling overwhelmed. Don’t misunderstand me; being both a parent and an educator is incredibly rewarding and amazing, but it certainly can come with its challenges as well.
What if we shift the narrative? Imagine investing in our children and students by prioritizing the teaching of character, manners, expectations, and empathy. Let’s make that our main focus!
I have found that the most effective method for teaching character, manners, expectations, and empathy is through storytelling followed by practice. Reading engaging stories or showing short videos to my students or children would often bring out genuine emotions in them. These reactions could include tears, hands placed over their hearts, enthusiastic comments about their enjoyment of the story, and requests to view it again. However, for some students, this experience can also lead to discomfort, as they may not have faced such emotions before. One student shared, “I love that story, Mrs. Green,” while another expressed, “I didn’t like how that made me feel; I don’t want to watch it again.”
I taught a grade two class and one of the boys had a negative reaction where he said that he hoped that the character in the story would drown. Whatever the reaction is, from your child, children and/or students, as a teacher or parent you need to teach to that and meet them where they are at. With that grade two student, I spoke to him individually and asked him why he felt that way. At first he didn’t have much to say but after the video he came to me and told me that he was happy that the dinosaur could save the fox. He also thanked me for the story. To me that was a win because it was a start. Prior to this, he struggled with making bad choices, having daily trips to the office, and received multiple in-school suspensions weekly.
One of my favorite things that Mother Teresa said that “if you want to change the world, go home and love your family”. I would add to that and say, “if you want to change to world, teach empathy.” Everyone you meet, gives you an opportunity to think about others.
Teaching kids about empathy is so important for their development and future relationships. It’s never too early to start teaching empathy. I started teaching empathy when my kids were very little, maybe 3, and they have grown into such incredible humans. I remember sitting together on the couch while they licked a popsicle and I would show them a video and we would talk about it. At times, they would embrace me when words failed us. From those moments, I began to develop expectations for them, such as helping with clean-up, sharing toys, allowing friends to choose first, learning to apologize, and being truthful, among many others. Intentional parenting and intentional teaching foster the development of character, honesty, love, and empathy.
I have spent years gathering stories and have recently developed a resource that includes 37 video lessons. You can just use what I have gathered, and start challenging your child, children and/or students to think deeper. And while they think deeper, they change the world a little at a time. This book provides a wonderful opportunity for your child, children, and/or students to think of their own stories. Stories where they may have shown empathy to someone else.
I know it works because I have seen the changes in my classroom and home. And I want the same for you!
At Time Matters Most, we love learning new things and growing as a learner but we equally value character education and growing as a person.
It is our hope that these pictures will create meaningful conversations with your students. Empathy can motivate us to be good to others as we imagine what it would be like to be in their position. This package includes 10 full page black and white photographs depicting different social situations and emotions, as well as a teacher prompt page with conversation starters for each photo.
As a parent and educator, the BEST movie I have shown my kids and students is Wonder. Grab some popcorn and watch it as a family or in your classroom. It truly is life changing. Take the time to talk about it. Dedicate time to nurture and educate the hearts of your child, children, and/or students as you impart knowledge from a place of genuine care.
