Character Qualities

We have a lot of books for kids that teach values and morals, but recently I was looking for a concise list of character qualities that I could use in teaching my kids.  I finally was able to find a GREAT list online at this link, for free.   There are 49 in all, and they are excellent!  

Each quality includes it's opposite, a description of what the quality is, and where you can find an example in the Bible.  At first I was going to teach them 1 quality a week, so that they could learn them all in a year...but after realizing how quickly they learn them,  I have decided to teach them 2 character qualities each week.  They are already on number 9.

I want them to be strong in conviction and character as they grow. 

Here are five of the qualities mentioned there:
Determination vs. Faintheartedness
Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition (II Timothy 4:7–8)
Forgiveness vs. Rejection
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32)
Patience vs. Restlessness
Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3–4)
Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy
Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (I Peter 1:22)
Truthfulness vs. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25)


To make it easier to teach these to them, I printed one sheet for each character quality, with relevant pictures that I found on the internet.  (I am attaching the files I printed out here so that if you are interested, you are more than welcome to use them yourself).  I've taped each sheet to the wall in rows and eventually the whole wall will be covered!    I'll post more as I continue making them:

Quality 1


Quality 3

Quality 4

Quality 5

Quality 6

Quality 7

Quality 8

Quality 9

I also have been adding their qualities to the screen saver on my computer, on marquee mode. This way, they can frequently see them and be reminded.   

I'm amazed at how quickly the kids have learned these!    They know the words and the definitions by heart- well, most of them.   I also have been trying to make sure that I show them how they can apply their character qualities in real life. For instance, when I ask if someone can help me do something, and someone responds with "I will", I tell them they have just shown me the quality of "Availability", and that I'm proud of them.   Or if they focus on their schoolwork and get it done in time, I tell them they have just shown "Diligence".

When I read them stories, I ask them what quality trait the different characters are using.  They usually can identify them pretty quickly...if not, I'll just let them know.   It helps to remind them again and again, and it is my hope that when they grow older, they will have a firm foundation that they can be strong and faithful to God, and be happy.

Posted by Bethany at 2/26/2009 11:09 AM
Categories: Homeschooling, God

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  • 2/26/2009 12:33 PM Elodie wrote:
    What a wonderful resource! Thank you very much for sharing that, I will use it for sure for my daughter.
    blessings
  • 2/26/2009 1:19 PM Betsy M wrote:
    What a great idea! I am definately going to start this with mine. Thanks!
  • 2/26/2009 1:39 PM Jen wrote:
    Great post!
  • 2/26/2009 3:11 PM Everybody's Mama wrote:
    I love this! I have been wanting to find something along this line. And your add-on ideas are great. Thanks for sharing!
  • 2/26/2009 3:21 PM Megan Volmer wrote:
    Thanks Bethany, I know I will use this. We move (military) this summer, but I would like to decorate a wall like yours when we move!!!
  • 2/26/2009 11:44 PM Sandcastle Momma wrote:
    What a great idea! I'll be adding this to our curriculum starting tomorrow. Thanks!
  • 2/27/2009 1:40 PM Kelli @ Country Life is Best wrote:
    Wonderful idea Bethany!!! I think I'll take a page out of your book!
  • 3/1/2009 9:53 AM calina wrote:
    Great idea! We've been doing character education as part of our homeschool, too. I like to use these at Pray Kids. Go here and click on specific character: http://www.navpress.com/store/search.aspx?q=pray+kids&page=all

    Click on each characteristic and you can get a free sample in a colorful pdf.
    Here is the sample for boldness:
    http://www.navpress.com/images/pdfs/47.pdf

    You can sign up for the
  • 3/1/2009 8:15 PM Vicky wrote:
    Bethany, thank you for this post!! My daughter is only 2, but I often look for little ideas like this (and obviously don't find what I am looking for, LOL!). I really appreciate you sharing - I learn so much from other moms, and I am grateful for it!!

    By the way, I should tell you I don't have my public blog anymore (Life, Life & Other Mysteries). Having baby #2 has made life much busier and I only keep up my private blog for family back home. Thanks for the link, though! I appreciate it.
  • 7/12/2009 1:52 AM Safara wrote:
    How are you. History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.
    I am from Germany and , too, and now am writing in English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "Tags excessive sweating, stop sweating, sweating."

    Thank 8-) Safara.
  • 10/31/2009 5:35 AM party marquee wrote:
    Ask a mom if she's happier now that she has a child and she'll usually say yes."I don't think people should have a child just to make them happy.
  • 11/26/2009 7:52 AM apartamenty warszawa wrote:
    The owner of the apartment, typically when transferring possession to the occupant, gives him/her the key to the apartment entrance and any other keys needed, such as a common key to the building or any other common areas and a mailbox key. When the occupant(s) move out, these keys are typically returned to the owner.
  • 12/1/2009 10:04 PM Net life science wrote:
    We've been doing character education as part of our homeschool, too. I like to use these at Pray Kids. Go here and click on specific character
  • 12/20/2009 1:27 AM club penguin cheats wrote:
    Thank you very much for sharing that, I will use it for sure for my daughter.
    blessings
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