Teddy Roosevelt hit the mark with his words. To educate a child in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and not about living is to raise a menace to society.

How do we as parents, teachers, and mentors help children contruct character? Below you will notice the five character-building goals to instill in your children. Using questions as practical tools is an elegant and excellent way to promote these goals and make character too.

Imagine that a boy named Harold recently moved into your neighborhood. He constantly causes trouble. The school principal just sent him home with a note addressed to his parents about his acting out in class. You and your child discuss Harolds problems. You center your discussion on the five key goals listed below. To instill each wants, ask your child the following practical questions:

-Goal 1: Empathy-Being aware of and caring about others feelings.
Question: If you were Harold, how would you feel?

-Goal 2: Role Taking-Putting oneself into anothers shoes and
understanding where they are coming from.
Question: What do you think Harold wanted by acting out in class?

-Goal 3: Social Awareness-Being aware of others opinions, their needs, their likes, and dislikes.
Question: If you we are a classmate of Harolds, what might
you think of Harold?

-Goal 4: Self-Reflection-Examining our own thoughts, feelings,
and, behaviors.
Question: Have you ever misbehaved in class? How did you feel about yourself?

-Goal 5: Internalizing Good Advice-Taking to heart the advice
your child gives to others and following it when he or she needs it.
Question: If you we are giving dazzling advice to Harold, what would you tell him?

Congratulations! By asking the above questions, you have just strengthened your childs character because you have awakened your childs thoughtful mind and caring heart.

Weve examined what goals to instill and what questions to inquire of . Lets find out where to make character by asking the above questions in the following situations:

-Problems with characters on TV
-Problems on the school bus
-Problems in the classroom
-Problems in the neighborhood
-Problems at home
-Problems in discussion stories

Now, its time to take action. If youre like most busy parents just remember the questions and ask them commonly. Get your children to think and to feel smartly. By using these tools now, you will be building a strong healthy character in your child, and a better society for us all.