My son was home schooled from 4th through 12th grade. As part of his education, his father and I wanted to teach him about the importance of character development.

I visited some home school curriculum fairs and there was little available about character development. What did exist was often part of a scouting type of program, including such things as camping, crafts, sports and cooking. That wasn't what necessarily our focus, so I set about creating something useful for our family. What resulted was both fun and educational for us all.

First, I wrote a list of character traits I thought were important. Next, I checked the Bible, some sources of great literature, and some biographical works about famous and great individuals in history, to see which character traits they possessed. Finally, I searched for local field trips available, games we might create or play, art projects, etc. that might have anything to do with developing character. Our program, instead of being a scouting type of study in character, became more of a Bible study and study of historical figures.

These are some of the character traits I felt were important:

Caring
Committed
Compassionate
Competent
Confident
Considerate
Dependable
Fair
Faithful
Friendly
Hard-working
Honest
Loyal
Patient
Peaceful
Prompt
Respectful
Responsible
Self-controlled
Sensitive
Sincere
Tactful
Thorough
Thoughtful
Tolerant
Truthful
Understanding

Each week, our study focused on a specific character trait. On Monday, my son would define the trait of the week. On Tuesday, he searched the Scriptures to see what he could find about that particular trait. Wednesdays focused on the teachings of Jesus, things Jesus might have said or parables he used pointing to that trait. On Thursday, great men and women in history were studied to find out which ones exhibited the trait being studied. Additionally, my son wrote a short paragraph about individuals he observed in our community who had exhibited our trait of the week. He would also wrote about how he had exhibited or practiced that trait, or he would create a plan to try to do something showing that he possessed that trait.

Our Fridays almost always consisted of just two things - tests and fun. First, we would test on progress on all of his academic subjects. Then we'd embark on some fun - creating our own games, making trips to museums and art galleries, bowling, roller skating or whatever, as we searched for ways to recognize and reinforce our character trait study.

Not surprisingly, my son was soon searching for the goodness in those around him and pointing out when those around him showed compassion, self-control, honesty and such.

It has been years since we followed this study, but my son still judges people on these important traits, rather than on their outward appearances. And he still works each day to see how he can continue to develop into a man of strength and wisdom.