Add Character Builders to
Your Homeschool Curriculum

There are many advantages to teaching about building character in your homeschool. I've seen in our family it has produced a greater sense of harmony, not only between my children but between my husband and I and us and our kids. See, the example set by character builders is about more than obedience, it's about growing in to a well rounded person who is a responsible member of society. Children do learn to be obedient but when they learn character that obedience will not come from a set of dos and don'ts, but rather out of an inner desire for relationship.

I have not used any specific motivational materials or curriculum for my children, choosing instead to make scripture my guide as I model responsible living.

But how do you do it specifically? How do you raise responsible kids? For us, we've made them accountable.

Everyone needs to feel they are needed. They need to know that they matter. Most people don't recognize this and it leads to low self-worth, anger, depression and a host of other ailments. I want my kids to be responsible and accountable kids. I let them know that they are a needed part of the household. We demonstrate these character builders in a few simple ways:

1. We show them what the scripture says about them.

Each night we read a portion of scripture. We let them know that not only does God love them, but He has a purpose for each of them. They were born to meet a specific need that only they can meet. Their job right now is to learn the skills they will need to meet that purpose.

2. We hold them responsible for their actions.

We extend grace but also teach consequences. In the book "Parenting with Love and Logic" there are great examples of how to do this in a way the children will understand and grow with. We remain consistent so our kids know the clear boundaries and, while they do test them, it is not a daily test. They realize that begging doesn't work and no means no. This is a character trait that is too often lacking in the world around them. The scripture says "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." We do that.

3. We give them responsibilities.

In our house the plates and cups are in a low cupboard. That is because from the age that my kids could walk steadily they put away dishes from the dishwasher. They love to help at that age and thus the idea of participating in a meaningful way in the house was ingrained from their earliest days. Now that they are all older [5,7,8 and 9] they each have a daily list of chores around the house. I made a list of every task that has to be done in the house and allowed each of them to pick the chores they wanted to do. Even mom and dad have a list of chores. They need look no further than the list on the wall to see that the household needs them.

4. We model good character ourselves.

We cannot teach what we do not practice. The best way to teach character in our kids is to be people of character ourselves.

5. We show integrity in school.

Be consistent in your teaching, whether unschooling or schooling at home. Show the kids that you are people of character and that you respect God's call on THEIR lives enough to be sure they're adequately equipped to fulfill that purpose.

So, while there is no set formula to building children of character in your homeschool, modeling a life of integrity and holding your children to a Biblical standard will cause the children to want to rise to the challenge. And, of course, praise them for doing the right thing, encourage them when they're unsure and be a model character builder yourself. Give them that to strive for.

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Character Builders with Bible Study

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