Resources + Reviews

If your kids are into colouring (or you are interested in what mindful colouring can do for your family) then here are some fun colouring/activity books to try that also share positive themes. **Amazon affiliate links are included for your convenience My virtues: Coloring book is a great first colouring book for young kids that helps you… {read more}

Affiliate links are included in this post.   What’s Under Your Cape?: Superheroes of the Character Kind is a guide by counselor and character coach Barbara Gruener to help elementary teachers infuse virtues, values, and positive character traits into the habits, routines, and culture of their classrooms. Complete with personal anecdotes, song suggestions, activities, hallway… {read more}

Happy Kids Songs were created for building character and social and emotional skills for kids ages 4 to 8 years old.  The songs are super catchy and fun to listen to (great car music!) – you can listen to some samples via this page.  The creator Don MacMannis – also known as Dr. Mac – is a… {read more}

I don’t like to think too much about it, but my boys are really growing up.  Long ago are the days when they toddled around and were content banging on pots and pans.  Sometimes I feel like they are getting close to being teenagers from some of the comments and attitudes I have witnessed!  Where did… {read more}

Helping kids build resilience is a topic I have done a lot of thinking and reading about.  So when I came across I Just Want To Be… Me!, a book by Timothy Bowden and Sandra Bowden of ACT on Purpose that aims to help kids learn strategies to deal with stress, I couldn’t wait to read it. I… {read more}

“Connection not Perfection.” Isn’t that a gorgeous (and freeing) motto for parenting?  That’s the aim of the wonderful parenting website Creative With Kids by Alissa Marquess.  I am a huge fan of Alissa’s work and am proud to be a contributor to her blog as well. Alissa’s posts 100 Ways to be Kind to Your Child and… {read more}

My kids love making crafts.  Actually I do, too!  But I have to admit that we don’t need more gadgets and decorations around the house… A great solution to this problem?  Little Loving Hands craft kits.  These awesome kits provide materials for a project that is sent to a new charity organisation every month.  So kids… {read more}

Need a list of virtues to refer to during personal reflection or conversation with kids? Want some new materials for your play area or classroom? Here are three fun options: Character Building ABC Poster Virtues ABC Refrigerator Magnets Character Building Growth Chart Perfect for adding a bit of inspiration to your daily space.  Click on… {read more}

“So what happened at school today?” “Nothing.” “Who did you play with at lunch break?” “No one.” “How did choir go?” “Fine.” Do these types of answers sound familiar to any other parents out there? I really do try to ask my kids interesting and personal questions to get our conversations going, but it doesn’t… {read more}

“Virtues education comes from the heart. Teachers too, must choose to learn about and develop their own virtues. We walk beside our students, listen to them, discern teachable moments in the classroom and share how we practice the virtues in our lives with truthfulness and humility.” – Dara Feldman, The Heart of Education p. 131 Parents… {read more}

Sometimes you just need a short motivational phrase to turn your day around.  That’s why I adore these gorgeous magnets with inspirational quotes from the Ripple Kindness Etsy Shop based in Melbourne, Australia.  Aren’t they lovely? Not only do I like to display them at home, but it’s nice to keep a few on hand to give away. Whether… {read more}

I am always on the lookout for kids’ shows that promote positive behaviour.  So when I saw VeggieTales after we signed up for Netflix I was pumped.  Featuring two funny friends – Larry (a cucumber) and Bob (a tomato) – the show scenarios target a problem that the characters eventually solve, learning a life lesson during the process. Though the show… {read more}

One of the best things about starting this blog just over two years ago has been connecting with other people around the world who also have a passion for helping kids build character.  So many parents and educators have developed awesome materials – stories, activities, games, music, and more – to teach kids about positive character traits… {read more}

A few months ago I saw a link posted by a high school friend on Facebook saying that she couldn’t believe she went to school with the girl in the article, which was about someone being charged for sexually assaulting kids while babysitting.  I nearly skimmed over the link thinking, “I could not have possibly… {read more}

A while back I wrote about how we are trying to raise children who want to contribute to the household and make good decisions because they want to… not only because we told them to or because they want a reward.  When the kids grow up, I hope they will have learned that helping others makes them feel… {read more}

Today I’m excited to share some wonderful storybooks that help kids deal with big emotions – specifically worry, anger and sadness.  I’ve been pondering a lot about emotions lately (here and here are two recent posts I have written on the topic) and I find resources like the ones I’m sharing today not only helpful for the children,… {read more}