Teaching Kids About Courage
“Dare to have courage. Do what’s right! Dare to be different, avoid a fight! Follow your conscience, not the crowd. Go after your goals and make yourself proud!” – Regina Burch
These are the words to the song I have sung with Kindergarteners since my first year as a school counselor. I’ve always focused on one character trait each month with grades K-5. Although there are many important traits for students to learn about, I focused primarily on the eight chosen by the school district. This blog post will focus on teaching courage and is the first in my character education series over the next few weeks.
Why Courage is an Important Trait to Teach
Courage is having the ability to do something that causes fear, that may be difficult, or that hurts physically or emotionally. It is vitally important to instill this trait in children at a young age. One thing we all know as adults is that life promises to through challenges our way. Children need to learn early that everything they may have to do in life won’t always be easy.
The song I mentioned earlier helped my students to think about how courage means doing what is right even if your buddy decides not to. I would often explain how many people want to make their friends happy and to go along with what they may do. Making the decision to follow your conscience can truly be courage at it’s best.
Setting goals and working to achieve them also takes courage. I’d often explain to my students that sometimes we may not fulfill the goal we set for ourselves. Although that can be disappointing, it takes courage to even try in the first place. It also takes courage to start over or try again when they aren’t successful with something the first time.
Books About Courage
There are lots of great children’s books out there focusing on courage. Some have been around for a long time, while others are more current. Here are three book possibilities you can use to teach your students about courage:
- Courage by Bernard Waber – Courage is an oldie but a goodie. I’ve used Bernard Waber’s books throughout my years as a teacher and school counselor. I originally fell in love with Lyle Lyle Crocodile many years ago. Courage was one of the first books I purchased as a new school counselor in 2004. It simply gives example after example of what courage is from riding a bicycle without training wheels to eating a new food you’ve never tried before. Click the link to check out a read-aloud video of Courage by Bernard Waber.
- I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde – I Am Courage is one book from a series of I Am books by this author. Like the other books in the series, this book is full of wonderful affirmations. This book is written for ages 4-8. I like using books in this series with middle elementary-aged children. Click the link to check out a read-aloud video of I Am Courage.
- Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Courage by Howard Binkow and Reverand Ana – There are so many great books in the Howard B. Wigglebottom series. I have used this book primarily with 1st graders. After listening, I would have them draw a picture of a time they showed courage and write a sentence to go with it. I love that the HBW books have songs that go along with the books. The Fear and Courage Song “It’s Okay to Be Afraid” is a catchy one and the kids enjoy listening to it. Click the link to visit the We Do Listen Foundation page to hear the song and to view the read-aloud video of Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Courage.
As you prepare to teach your students about courage, consider adding The Courage Files to supplement to your lesson. The resource comes with a lower and upper elementary version. It also includes pamphlet versions for those looking for a print-and-go option.
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