Life is challenging, for kids as well as adults. It takes character strength to deal with these challenges, to do the right things, the hard things.
Character strength comes from dozens of behavior patterns that people form throughout life. And these behavior patterns can be developed and strengthened. By consciously working on specific behavior patterns, any adult can strengthen their character. I explain this in detail in my book, Grow Strong Character.
This is how kids grow strong character, too. The experiences that are a part of growing up vary widely among youth, so it helps immensely to have the guidance and support of adults. Here are six recommendations:
- Learn more about character and character development. This will help you say and do the most effective things. Again, the best place to start: Grow Strong Character.
- Describe and explain the behavior patterns related to chacter strength. This will help them understand the consequences, why they need to strive. Your opportunities come up when they do well, or when they struggle.
- Create or encourage oppurtunities for a child to strive. Dealing with challenges is how a child develops character strength. I wrote the book for adults in the workplace, but you can use my recommendations to get ideas for similar activities appropriate for your child. Team sports, striving academically, and pet projects are good examples.
- Affirm your child when they do well. Point out specific behaviors related to a character strength and express your encouragement and expectations for their success.
- Help your child learn when they stumble. Don’t instruct, lecture, or do their thinking for them. Instead, ask questions to get them to think about what happened, why, and what they learned from it.
- Set an example. This is both the most important strategy and the hardest. Your words will be empty if you aren’t walking your talk. It means you’re consciously working on strengthening your own character, too.
