Children's first moral lessons are learned
in the home and later at school. This generation of parents, as
a general rule, have less time with their children than did the previous
generation. The time and opportunity to discuss moral dilemmas has
evaporated in many households. Parents are often hard-pressed to
get an adequate dinner on the table, a bath given, and a story read at
night before bedtime. The goal of the El Rancho School Character
Development Program is to be a partner with the parent in the moral education
of their children.
Incidents of violence, cruelty, and anti-social
behaviors of children are increasing in the United States. Four
years ago a study was done that looked at character development of junior
high school students in this country. Approximately 100,000 children
were interviewed. One of the questions was, "Have you shop-lifted
anything in the last year?" The shocking results were that about
80% of the students admitted to theft in stores! It has become
clear that every opportunity must be taken to give children a clearer
sense of direction in matters of right and wrong, and help them develop
the self-restraint to act according to their conscience.
Components of the Character Development Program
include a binder for each elementary school classroom. Each handbook
has been specifically compiled with stories which are appropriate for
the interest, maturation and level of cognition of students in that
grade. Tapes, videos and books are also available for teachers
to use with their students. All of the stories and other materials
were selected to aid in the training of the heart and mind of the child
toward moral choices and behaviors.
The handbook is set up in the following sections:
compassion, heroes, respect and acceptance, generosity, responsibility
and work, perseverance, truth and trust, gratitude and a miscellaneous
section. Additionally a section has been included for manners.
The stories contained in the handbook aim at clear concepts of good
and bad without hesitation or apology. The stories often contain
choices which call virtues into play. As the stories unfold we
witness many of those choices and their implications. These can
serve as reference points on a moral compass, helping to guide their
actions.
Virtues are not just about our own journeys through
life made smoother and more successful. There is an abundance
of literature which reminds us that easing others' paths should be an
equal, if not more important concern. Some of these stories help
us examine the question, "What do we owe to other people?"
There are a number of stories about compassion.
Trying to put yourself in another's place is the starting point of compassion.
Compassion must take the place of action, however, exerting yourself
for someone else's sake, and it takes practice!
The section of heroes was included because popular
culture offers plenty. The media has become confused about the
difference between heroes (known for worthy actions) and celebrities
(known for being well-known). Many times the behaviors for which
celebrities are famous are not worthy of imitation. Little children
don't know that. Therefore, it is up to adults to make an effort
to point out what actions merit honor and which individuals possess
qualities of human excellence worth striving for. The stories
with heroes are meant to give young people targets to aim for and examples
to follow.
The handbook is dedicated to the precious
children who pass through our classrooms and lives. It is the
goal of El Rancho School that our classrooms and teachers are an inspiration
and source of high ideals by which our students begin to shape their
own futures.
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