Teaching our Kids Character Habits That Last a Lifetime (Part 2)
When we help our kids learn character habits at school and at home, they excel more at school and home. My first blog post discussed how to help kids develop effective peserverance and leadership skills. Summarized below are strategies parents can use to help their children develop the character habits of empathy, bravery, and ethical behavior.
Empathy: See, Listen, and Feel with the Heart
Empathy teaches children to step outside themselves, understand others’ perspectives, and value diversity. It’s a cornerstone of healthy relationships and inclusive communities.
Build empathy by:
- Talking about feelings and naming emotions
- Asking reflective questions after social situations: “How do you think they felt?”
- Reading diverse books that show different cultures, experiences, and points of view
Try this: Play “perspective switch”—have your child imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling in a situation.
Books to share:
I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët: A wordless book that shows a small act of empathy turning into a movement of kindness. Invites deep discussion across all ages.
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour: A touching story about a young refugee who finds comfort in a pebble and then chooses to comfort another. Beautiful for discussing empathy, courage, and friendship.
Bravery: Do Hard Things
Bravery isn’t just for superheroes. It’s for kids who try new things, speak up for what’s right, and believe in themselves.
Nurture bravery at home by:
- Encouraging your child to take healthy risks (like joining a new group or speaking in front of others)
- Supporting them when they make mistakes or feel nervous
- Helping them advocate for themselves at school or in friendships
Try this: Ask, “What’s something brave you did today?”
Books to share:
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall: Jabari wants to jump off the diving board but has to face his fear first. A relatable and uplifting story of trying hard things.
Brave Irene by William Steig: Irene shows physical and emotional bravery as she battles a snowstorm to deliver a dress for her sick mother. A classic story of courage.
Ethical: Do the Right Thing
Ethical behavior means doing the right thing—even when no one’s watching. It’s about having integrity, especially when it’s hard.
Teach ethics by:
- Modeling honesty and fairness in your own choices
- Discussing real-life situations and asking, “What’s the right thing to do?”
- Praising honesty—even when it comes with a tough consequence
Try this: Ask, “What do you do when no one is watching?” and celebrate those quiet wins.
Books to share:
Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller: A humorous and engaging story about treating others the way you want to be treated. Fun, yet rooted in the golden rule.
A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts: A boy finds money and wrestles with doing the right thing. Excellent for discussing honesty, temptation, and ethics.
My next blog post will discuss how parents can reinforce the character habits of accountability, respect, and service at school and in daily life activities that can last a lifetime.
Alison Whiteley has been a special education teacher for over 15 years, spending most of her time working with elementary students and families. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Psychology, she continued her education with a Masters in Reading from Walden University. In addition, she has achieved endorsements supporting Early Childhood Special Education and Diverse Learners which she uses to help identify needs across all learners.
Ms. Whiteley is trained in Wilson Reading System and Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham. She believes all students can learn to read and be successful. She has served as a Special Education Coach and Mentor to fellow specialists and teachers, facilitated the creation of her elementary school’s Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (RTI/MTSS) process and helped parents through the Special Education process as IEP Coach for parents. In 2013 she completed the National Boards of Professional Teaching in Exceptional Needs with recertification in 2022. Her areas of expertise involve working with students with learning disabilities, supporting stakeholders moving through the special education process, and helping parents and teachers understand what they can do to support struggling learners in the public school settings.
She is a founding member of the Colorado Reading League and a member of the International Dyslexia Association in Colorado. Alison has two greyhounds and two nephews who keep her busy outside of school. She is the CEO of Toad-ally Exceptional Learners at http://www.toad-allyexceptionallearners.com. Alison is a valuable source of information to support teachers and parents, although she is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice. Her services support families through the IEP process and how they can be an equal member of the team through positive interactions. She focuses on collaboration and using tools to take IEPs to the new level of helping students achieve.