KIVA ADMINISTRATION

	Micheal Helminski Principal Tom Gannon Assistant Principal

As we reflect on the past year and look forward, I would like to share some thoughts about character education. Currently, talk about virtue, values, morals and character has emerged in the forefront of the movement for social change. Our state has asked the schools to address character education as a means of improving the schools and the behavior of children. Because children are fairly concrete in their view of the world, it is difficult to teach them concepts that are too abstract. There are proven ways children learn behaviors that can be used to teach character to them. To become good teachers of character, parents will find these basic steps helpful:

• !!!Set goals for your children to achieve!!!
• !!!Define behaviors that will be needed to reach the goals!!!
• !!!Model the behaviors so the children will have a mental picture of what they are. Encourage your children to practice the behaviors!!!
• !!!Reinforce the practice through the use of praise and privileges!!!
• !!!Observe your children in many different situations in order to decide whether the behaviors have been learned!!!

It is important to remember that discussing your beliefs with your children is the best way to help them develop the values and beliefs you consider important in helping to build their character.