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The 3 Best Character Charts To Encourage Growth

December 12, 2019 By Kathie 46 Comments

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One of our favorite ways to encourage character growth in our children was to use character charts to measure their progress.

This kept us watching for the efforts they were making, and it also reminded them to keep trying to show Godly character throughout the day. 

Here are the 3 Best Character Charts To Encourage Growth

3 Best Character Charts The Character Corner

 

With that in mind, we designed the Excellence in Character Chart, and a Growth in Character Chart.  We used these charts to have character contests and character celebrations.

With most of the kids, when they got to be about 12,  they didn’t get as excited about it all as when they were young.   At that point, a younger sibling was usually old enough to understand and be added in.

Obviously, you don’t have to use the charts like we do.  It will depend on how many kids you have, their ages, and how you want to use them with your family. I am just presenting this so you know how we have used them in our home.

We choose a time frame (1 – 2 weeks), and let the kids know when the character contest begins, and when it will end.

During that time we would watch for the kids to show good character, and give them a mark on the chart for the trait they displayed. (8 Ways To Recognize Good Character In Your Children)

For example, if one of them picked up toys without being told, we would give them a plus (tally mark) under their name for initiative on the Excellence in Character Chart.

When the contest time ended, we had a character celebration.

Here’s how we encouraged character, just to give you an idea:

1. We chose a character trait out of the bowl, and the child with the most marks for that trait was the winner. 

We gave the winner one of our character ribbons and a prize from the prize bag.  (toys from the Dollar Store, packs of gum, candy bars)  We all clapped and got excited for the winner.

2. After the winner announcement was done, we looked at the Excellence chart to see who could fill in any squares on their growth chart. 

For every five marks they got for any trait, they got to fit in a square on their Growth in Character Chart for that trait.  This enabled us to recognize them for the progress they had made during the week, even though they may not have been the winner.

3. After this time of recognizing the progress that the kids had made, we had a special treat like ice cream or cookies.

Even though the kids started to lose their excitement about winning as they got a bit older, we still wanted them to keep a focus on character, and be involved.  Sometimes I would pair the older ones up with the younger ones, and they’d encourage their teammate during the contest.

Another thing I did was have the teens help me watch for good character in the younger ones.

I started this when I noticed one of the teens was VERY good at seeing the bad in his siblings.  Often he could be heard saying things like, “Awww – you’re not obeying!”, or “You’re having a bad attitude!”. 

I wanted to turn the negativity into positive comments instead. 

So I told the teen that I needed his help with watching for good character in the kids and asked him to give them a tally mark on the chart whenever he saw them showing good character.

This turned things around for him and the siblings!

He started to notice the good, and they were much more encouraged to hear him say, “Wow! You just showed initiative (or some other trait)!  I’m going to give you a plus on the character chart.” 

To me, it was very exciting.  I love hearing my older kids encouraging their younger siblings to do what is right!

Character Charts

Benefits of growing character by using character charts:

1.  It kept my husband and I focused on positive behavior.

It is so easy to see the wrong things our kids do and get after them for those things constantly.  Yet, we forget to look for the right behavior and good character and praise them for it.

Using these charts caused me to be on the lookout for any signs of effort to practice good character.  

As a result, I was much aware when they did the right things, and I encouraged them more often about the right behavior.

2.  It kept us focused on what was important.

Sometimes we forget that Godly character is more important than physical accomplishments (like in sports), musical abilities, or getting good grades.  

As a result, we convey the wrong priorities to our kids and fail to teach them what really matters.

My husband and I felt very strongly that building Godly character in our kids intentionally should be one of our top priorities and goals.

We wanted the kids to know that Godly character pleased the Lord, and was important.

Using the charts helped us to remember to look for good character in our kids, and to praise them when they showed it, letting them know we were pleased with their behavior and so was God.

3.   It kept the idea of Godly character before the kids all through the day.

All it took was us “catching” one child showing good character, and giving them a mark on their chart.  Other kids would then start thinking about how they could show good character too.

Choosing to do things that show good character becomes a habit over time, and then develops into character.

Two additional thoughts about encouraging character with charts: 

Perhaps some of you are wondering, “Well, aren’t the kids doing it for the wrong reason?  They’re choosing to go and do something “right” so they can get a mark on their chart, and get recognition from Mom or Dad.”  

1. They MAY be doing it for the wrong reason.

However, they are purposefully choosing to do something that is right.  In reality that’s what character is.  Doing what’s right whether we feel like it or not, because it’s right.

2.  God uses rewards to motivate us to do right.  

In the Bible, we are promised that we can get stars in our crowns.  So why not encourage our kids to do what pleases the Lord by using small rewards, such as verbal praise, marks on a chart, or little prizes in a character celebration.

GET A FREE DOWNLOAD of the Excellence and Growth in Character Charts, AND a copy of the 48 Godly Character Traits Chart

 

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46 CommentsFiled Under: Character

Comments

  1. Jackie says

    June 29, 2018 at 5:13 pm

    I love your idea of the character charts and randomly drawing a trait at scheduled intervals. This sounds perfect for my 3 kids! My husband and I tend to focus on the negative and not the positive so I think this will be a big help in our family. I have become a subscriber, but haven’t been able to figure out how to download them. Can you please help me figure it out? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      June 30, 2018 at 8:36 am

      Sent ya an email with the charts. 🙂

      Reply
      • Twilliams1985 says

        January 6, 2019 at 2:09 pm

        Hi, I subscribed to your blog, but I never got an email to download the character chart.

        Reply
        • Kathie says

          January 6, 2019 at 4:33 pm

          I’m sorry you didn’t get the charts. I’m looking into it, but will send you an email with them attached. Thanks!

          Reply
          • barb says

            March 12, 2019 at 10:09 am

            How can I obtain the charts? Thanks,

          • Kathie says

            March 12, 2019 at 9:53 pm

            Hi Barb! I emailed the charts to you. 🙂

    • Kristen Bryant says

      April 29, 2019 at 9:05 am

      I signed up for the newsletter, but can’t figure out how to download all the charts. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kathie says

        May 1, 2019 at 5:46 pm

        Hi Kristen! I sent you an email with the charts attached, so you can download them from there. Sorry for the difficulty!

        Reply
  2. Jackie says

    June 29, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    I really enjoyed reading this post. It sounds perfect for my 3 kids! My husband and I tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive and this would be a great tool for my family. I have subscribed to your newsletter, but I haven’t been able to download the character chart. Can you help me figure out how to download these resources please? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      June 30, 2018 at 8:35 am

      Hi Jackie! Yes – that’s one of the reasons we made the character charts. My husband and I tended to see (and comment) on the negative behavior in the kids, while overlooking the good, and the efforts they were making. I will email you, and attach the character charts for you to download.

      Reply
  3. Jen says

    August 23, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    I love this post, and it was explained very well and simply. I’ve read about your charts before but this made me feel like I could execute the use of them with our kids. I also like your explanation of how its an acceptable thing to use rewards such as these in training godly character. Thank you, Kathie, for all of your wonderful materials, and for always reminding us to seek God and His kingdom FIRST!! You are a blessing to me!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      August 24, 2018 at 11:52 am

      Thanks Jen! So glad the post helped explain how to use them, and made you feel capable. 🙂 Thank you for your encouraging words too!

      Reply
  4. Tara says

    August 23, 2018 at 11:33 pm

    My family and I are going to start foster caring children within the next few weeks. This sounds like something that will work great in our household. I can’t wait to get started. Thank you for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      August 24, 2018 at 11:52 am

      How exciting for you Tara! Hope all goes well, and that the charts prove to be helpful.

      Reply
  5. Raymee Dena says

    December 15, 2018 at 1:11 am

    Hey, This is really great. I signed up for your newsletter but wasn’t able to receive the chart. I notice a comment that someone else had this same problem. Could you send it to me?

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      December 15, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      Sorry ou weren’t able to get the character charts! I will email you and attach them for you to download.

      Reply
  6. Sara Bleyenberg says

    January 2, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    Hello Kathie! I signed up for the download of the character chart but havent received anything. Would you be able to send a copy to me, please?
    Thank you so much! I just found this site yesterday and want to read it all…so mich good wisdom and suggestions!
    Sara

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      January 2, 2019 at 10:32 pm

      HI Sara, and welcome!! I will email you with the charts attached, so you can download them. Glad you are enjoying the site and posts!

      Reply
  7. Jaime Swart says

    January 5, 2019 at 8:03 am

    Hi Kathie, I recently stumbled across your page and love the idea of Character Charts and having a Character celebration. I’m a mum of 4 (9,5,3,1) and find it very difficult to focus on the positive and like most tend to only focus on what they’re doing wrong. I’m also finding that the older 2 children are also pointing out what each other are doing wrong and what the little ones are doing wrong so these charts will help the whole family focus on the positive characters which will be great. I’ve signed up to your news letter and would love receive weekly inspiration and encouragement from you. However, I can’t see where to download the charts from? Many Thanks and God Bless Jaime (UK)

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      January 5, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Jaime! I’m so glad you found my page. Yes – I relate to the challenge on focusing on the positive, rather than just seeing the negative. You and your kids will enjoy using the character charts. I will email you and attach them for you to download!

      Reply
  8. Anamaria says

    January 20, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Thank you for all the encouragement we received from all your work and deep understanding of each child’s growth in godly character, we didn’t even hope to find so many wisdom and so much hope in just one place only on the internet. Warmest wishes from Romania!
    Unfortunately we didn’t received the Character Chart and Growth in Character Chart either.

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      January 20, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Anamaria,

      I sent you an email with the character charts attached. Sorry the link didn’t work for you!

      Reply
  9. Whitney says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    I began receiving your emails a week or so ago and I have already gleaned so much from your experiences! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. I too would like to use your character charts but the link isn’t working for me. Is there another way I could access it? Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      February 14, 2019 at 2:19 pm

      HI Whitney! I’m so glad that you have been enjoying the site & emails so far. I hope they will continue to encourage you. I will email you with the character charts.

      Reply
  10. Sowmya says

    February 24, 2019 at 4:16 pm

    Hi , The blog was really an eye opener – Thank you. I will definitely try these ideas on my kid. I would like to have the character charts, could you please send me a copy of the same t my email address ?

    Sowmyadj81@gmail.com

    Thank you so much
    Sowmya

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      February 24, 2019 at 9:56 pm

      Hi Sowmya! I sent you an email with the charts for you to download.

      Reply
  11. Melissa says

    March 24, 2019 at 11:26 pm

    Hello! So excited to have this resource! I am also having a hard time obtaining the charts. Would you mind sending them to me? Thanks so much! ❤️

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:56 am

      Just sent you an email with them, Melissa!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer Kitchens says

    March 25, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    Hi! I subscribed but have not received an email with the charts. How do I get a copy? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:53 am

      Hi Jennifer! I’m sorry you never got the charts. Just sent you an email with them. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Hannah Bartholomew says

    March 28, 2019 at 8:01 am

    Hello,
    I subscribed but never got the charts emailed to me. Could you please email them to me? Thank you so much! God Bless

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      March 30, 2019 at 11:50 am

      Hi Hannah! Sorry you never got the charts. I emailed you with them attached.

      Reply
  14. Alicia White says

    April 28, 2019 at 4:15 pm

    Kathie,

    I am praying for you as undergo this trial. I love this thought on character charts. I am like the other ladies. I have not received your charts. Please no hurry, but I would love to have a copy of them. Thank you so much for pouring into us homeschool mommas.

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      May 1, 2019 at 5:48 pm

      Thanks for your prayers Alicia! I just sent you an email with the charts attached. Enjoy them!

      Reply
  15. Kelly says

    May 27, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Hello! Thank you for all of the wisdom and encouragement that you give us! I’d love to receive these character charts, but didn’t when I signed up for the newsletter. Would you be able to send these to me when you have the time? Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      May 28, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      Hi Kelly! I sent you an email with the charts attached for you to download.

      Reply
  16. Ashley Hall says

    August 30, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Hello! I would love to get a copy of your character charts 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      August 30, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      Hi Ashley! I sent you an email with the character charts attached. 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  17. Carley Riley says

    September 9, 2019 at 9:48 am

    I am also a subscriber and haven’t received this. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      September 10, 2019 at 10:36 pm

      Hi Carley, I will send you an email!

      Reply
  18. Janet Gerrard says

    September 21, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    Please could you point me in the direction of the charts thanks

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      September 22, 2019 at 7:51 pm

      Hi Janet! I will email you with the links!

      Reply
  19. Christine says

    October 3, 2019 at 2:12 am

    Hello Kathie,

    Prayed that the Lord will cover your surgery with grace and you will recover fast with minimal pain. I thank God for your faithful and pasionate teaching through the blog to parents, esp a young mom like me. Could you please kindly send me the character charts when you have time? Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      October 19, 2019 at 7:50 pm

      Hi Christine – I just sent you an email with the charts!

      Reply
  20. Sandra says

    October 22, 2019 at 12:21 am

    Please could you kindly send me the charts too. Thanks very much.

    Reply
    • Kathie says

      November 1, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      Hi Sandra! I just sent you an email with the character charts.

      Reply

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Hi there! I'm Kathie, and I'm so glad you're here! I am a mom of 8 kids, and a veteran homeschooling mom of 31 years. My goal is to help parents be purposeful about raising kids with Godly character. Read More…

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About Kathie Morrissey

My name is Kathie, and I am glad you stopped by. I am a stay-at-home mom of 8 wonderful kids, and have been homeschooling for 31 years. I hope that my blog will be a blessing and encouragement to you! Read More…

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