This paper responds to Berkowitz, Bier, and McCauley's description of effective features and practices that support character development by pushing on the question of "how" child and youth environments might "build character." Acknowledging the challenges of drawing on program evaluations and extant studies of character…

This article shares lessons learned from the implementation of a community-based character education program in Malaysia. The program at Jenjarom Learning Center is directed toward the transformation and empowerment of local children and youth through moral and character education. The stated purpose of the program has been to awaken the…

"Educational Theories, Cultures and Learning" focuses on how education is understood in different cultures, the theories and related assumptions we make about learners and students and how we think about them, and how we can understand the principle actors in education--learners and teachers. Within this volume, internationally renowned…

This paper presents a preliminary overview of moral development issues that are raised when young people interact in cyberspace. A preliminary classification system of Internet ethics issues that parents and educators must address includes: (1) respect for property, (2) respect for territory and privacy, (3) respect for others and common courtesy,…

Provides profiles of contemporary figures who can serve as appropriate role models (heroes and heroines) for today's young people. Profiled are Desmond Tutu, Neil Armstrong, Mother Teresa, Lech Walesa, Jesse Jackson, Jacques Cousteau, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, and Anatoly Shcharansky. (SKC)

Kindergarten, third- and sixth-grade children indicated verbally that giving in response to dependency cues was more meritorious than giving in expectation of reciprocity. When provided an opportunity to choose between giving to dependents or those who could reciprocate, children chose to help others who could reciprocate. Further experimentation…

Character education is the hinge upon which academic excellence, personal achievement, and true citizenship depend. This volume provides guidance for educators who wish to help children forge good character. Its seven chapters create a blueprint for integrating character education into the curriculum. Chapters include (1) "Character…

Before considering the portrayal of values in children's dramaturgy, this paper discusses definitions of values, examines the way in which children learn values and the confusion about values that contemporary children may feel, and reviews books that deal with the role of children's literature in values education. It then identifies five…

Interdependent learning promotes cooperation and mutual attraction among children. This concept is extended into the realm of play and games. Studies show the social impact of well-designed cooperative games programs. Recommends that elementary school counselors teach children to tune in to their bodies and to learn how to relax. (Author/BEF)

Argues that schools need to intensify efforts to offer values instruction since current efforts portend failure. Examines the historical roots of values education, profiles the social context of values problems, critiques approaches to values, describes ways to unify the advocates of values education, and discusses the current public demand for…

Many educators seem reluctant to instill in their pupils good habits such as honesty, respect, and truthfulness. This book emphasizes how teachers can create schools in which students practice and exhibit respect and responsibility. Many problems in schools, homes, and society at large, arise from a lack of good character. To develop moral…

This paper discusses an expanded definition of the concept of emotional giftedness in children as defined by Annemarie Roeper. In contrast to examples of academic and artistic prodigies, cases are reviewed that illustrate less tangibly measured examples of children's giftedness, such as expressions of compassion, moral sensitivity, positive…

This book introduces the concept of a youth charter -- a communication strategy that can help young people understand the reactions of others to their behavior. Such charters identify a community's standards and expectations for young people's behavior and created occasions for imparting these standards and expectations to the young. The process…

Reports on a study of moral judgments in aggressive and nonaggressive children. Assessed moral judgment by presenting the children with stories of moral conflict in everyday life using peer rating. Results showed significant differences according to gender and no constant level of moral reasoning was measured in either aggressive or nonaggressive…

Noting that parents and educators need to place greater emphasis on teaching children values, this book shows parents, teachers, and group leaders how to work as a team to teach the values young children need to lead happy, "value-able" lives. The book's introduction defines values and presents a rationale for teaching values to young…