Character education fosters community
Print Edition
Character education is about the social and emotional development of children. At YCIS, our Character Education program helps prepare our students for the ethical, moral, spiritual, social, and cultural challenges that they face on a daily basis as they grow into adulthood. Students are encouraged to think about and reflect upon their actions and interactions with others. We do this in a holistic way, introducing our students to character education through special assemblies, and also as part of the lessons they have in class. As the Character Education coordinator, my role is to design the program and help teachers incorporate it into the wider curriculum.
Once a fortnight, we hold year level assemblies where we focus on a particular character trait, such as compassion, availability or self-control, and we teach the students about these values, using stories and real life examples. In class, teachers are encouraged to identify and praise students when they demonstrate these character traits. We also use positive approach to behavior management called the “Helping Hands,” where the students are given “High Five” reward cards for demonstrating behavior that is responsible, respectful, positive, safe and shows an eager attitude toward learning. Teaching character education is important because it helps children live up to their full potential, as well as develop a strong sense of self-awareness about how their actions impact others.
I see the result of our Character Education program at YCIS every day. If a child falls over on the playground, for example, other students will automatically rush over and help him or her up, and if necessary, they will alert a teacher. I see it when students open the door for each other or for adults, and in how they are being kind and friendly to new classmates, and make them feel welcome. Older students at YCIS often initiate or become involved in charity campaigns outside of school, which shows how, as they mature, they have developed the mindset to engage with and support the community at large. The focus on creating positive experiences for our students, enable them to grow and develop, into confident, compassionate young global citizens.
Teaching character values is important in today’s modern world, especially for international students in Shanghai. While we have many students who stay with us for their entire school careers, others move on after a couple of years because their family is relocated. We want to equip all our students with the skills to be able to adjust to new environments and cultures, to be confident in unfamiliar situations, and to make friends and engage with their new surrounding so they can continue to succeed at school wherever they are.
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