Fundamentals of Character Development

Characters and Citizenship Education is one of the key directions the educational landscape is moving to. Going through a workshop that talks about the principles (and not the precepts) couldn't be more apt!

Developing SEL skill sets
Self-awareness (can only be developed through reflections) --> Self-management (only then can you manage what you know) --> Interaction with others (Social Awareness - Stop and Look with Interest, Observe, Listen / Clarify, Respond with Empathy) --> Do we have the skills to respond? (Relationship Management) --> Responsible Decision Making affects not only self but also others and the wider community.

Compassion --> Social Awareness + Relationship Management
Integrity --> Self-Management + Responsible Decision Making + Self-Awareness

Character Development = Skills + Values go hand in hand!

SEL Skills --> HOW --> Learnt through observation (culture)
Values --> WHY

Values without skills --> Not efficacious.

Pedagogical Principles

1. Action
2. Relevance
3. Providing for social dimension
4. Providing for emotional dimension
5. Reflection

How to make friends - Making it SAFE (sequential, active, focused, explicit)

Identify skills --> Explain

Process --> Demo

Procedural steps (Active) --> Practise

Feedback / Celebrate --> Promote

One of the main concerns we face - if we have to teach SEL skills explicitly, where do we find the time??