6 June 2025

Parent’s Role in Character Education

By Shani Brest, Foundation Phase Educator at Bellavista School

Parents all want their children to succeed academically, but true success goes beyond good grades. Character education- instilling values such as responsibility, respect, and resilience- is just as important as academic achievement. Schools play a role in shaping character, but the foundation is built at home. Here are a few ideas you can use to help nurture these essential qualities in your child.

Teaching Responsibility

Responsibility is a key trait that helps children become independent, reliable and accountable for their actions. As parents, you can encourage more responsibility by:

1. Giving age-appropriate chores. Assigning tasks like setting the table, making their bed, or organizing their school bag teaches children accountability.
2. Encourage follow-through. Ensure your child completes homework, commitments, and chores on time. Setting reminders and offering praise can reinforce this habit.
3. Teach consequences. Help children understand that actions have consequences. If they forget their homework, let them face the teacher’s reaction rather than rushing to fix it for them.
4. Model responsibility. Children learn best by example. Show responsibility in your actions, such as keeping promises, paying bills on time, and admitting mistakes.

Instilling Respect

Respect for oneself and others fosters positive relationships and a strong sense of community. Here are ways to cultivate respect in children:

1. Be a role model. Treat others, including your child, with kindness and respect. They will mirror your behaviour.
2. Teach manners and empathy. Simple habits like saying “please” and “thank you”, or listening attentively can go a long way. Encourage your child to consider other people’s feelings before acting.
3. Encourage respect for authority. Teach children to listen to teachers, follow school rules, and understand that authority figures are there to guide and protect them.
4. Set boundaries. Help children understand personal space, digital etiquette, and the importance of speaking politely even when disagreeing.

Building Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and handle life’s challenges with a positive attitude. Here’s how you can help your child develop resilience:

1. Encourage problem-solving. Instead of immediately offering solutions, ask your child what they think they should do in a tough situation. This builds critical thinking and confidence.
2. Allow failure as a learning experience. Teach your child that failure isn’t the end but a stepping stone to growth. Share your own setbacks and how you overcame them.
3. Support a growth mindset. Praise effort and process rather than just results. Statements like “I’m proud of how hard you worked” encourage perseverance.
4. Provide emotional support. Let your child know that feeling upset, frustrated, or disappointed is normal. Encourage open discussions about their feelings and ways to cope.

The Parent’s Role in Everyday Life

• Consistent reinforcement. Character traits are learned through everyday interactions. Reinforce lessons through daily conversations, discipline, and praise.
• Read together. Books with moral lessons can be a great way to discuss values in a relatable way.
• Encourage community involvement. Volunteering, helping a neighbour, or participating in school initiatives can reinforce the importance of kindness and responsibility.

Teaching responsibility, respect, and resilience is a continuous process that requires patience and consistency. When parents actively model and reinforce these values, children grow into responsible, respectful, and resilient individuals. By working together with schools, parents can ensure that their children not only succeed academically but also develop the character needed to navigate life with confidence and integrity. For more information or resources, visit www.bellavista.org.za