Learning about Virtues: A Guide to Making Good Decisions

by Juliette Garesché Dages, R. W. Alley (Illustrator)

Overview

This book introduces the concept and basic vocabulary of virtues. It helps children to recognize and label the behaviors which they are striving to develop. When a child attains a virtue, that trait will become almost habitual for them. But it isn’t always easy. Life produces many challenges, and today’s culture often seems to oppose virtue. However, through faith, example, and practicing individual virtues, a child will keeping growing through adulthood, planting more seeds of God’s goodness along the way. We hope you have fun introducing virtues to the children in your life. This book is just the start. Be creative, and don’t forget to catch your children being good! Praise their every effort toward goodness and God-likeness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781497692985
Publisher:	CareNotes
Publication date:	10/21/2014
Series:	Elf-help Books for Kids
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Juliette Garesché Dages helped to found Peace Learning Circles, a non-profit organization that teaches conflict resolution skills to children. She lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
 
R. W. Alley is the illustrator for the popular Abbey Press adult series of Elf-help books, as well as an illustrator and writer of children’s books. He lives in Barrington, Rhode Island, with his wife, daughter, and son. See a wide variety of his works at: www.rwalley.com.

 

Read an Excerpt

Learning about Virtues

A Guide to Making Good Choices

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By Juliette Garesché Dages, R. W. Alley

Abbey Press

Copyright © 2009 Juliette Garesché Dages
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4976-9298-5

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CHAPTER 1

Honest

Hector is honest.

Hector was hitting baseballs when a foul ball broke a neighbor's window. Hector felt horrible. He didn't want to admit he had broken the window, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

Hector worked up the courage to ring the neighbor's doorbell. When his neighbor came to the door, Hector explained what happened, and apologized. To pay for the window, Hector agreed to rake leaves for his neighbor.

Hector was honest, even though he was worried about what might happen. Hector had to pay for the damage, but his conscience was clear because he told the truth.

What is one way you can practice being honest?

Responsible

Reynaldo is responsible.

As a young boy, Reynaldo had many friends in school. As he got older, some of his friends began getting into trouble. Sometimes, the boys dared one another to do things—usually things the boys knew were wrong, or things for which they knew their parents would disapprove.

Reynaldo was responsible and had a good sense of right and wrong. He was able to make good choices, and to select friends and have fun without breaking rules. Reynaldo and his friends had harmless fun and were sometimes downright silly, but didn't get into serious trouble.

What is one way you can practice being responsible?

Just

Jillian is just.

Jillian went to watch her little sister play soccer. The players and coaches were there, but the referee didn't show up. The coaches asked Jillian if she would referee the game, and she agreed.

When Jillian had to make a decision about which team hit the ball out of bounds, or if a player had used her hands, she had to be fair. She could not give any preference to her sister's team. Jillian was just and fair in making her decisions. She treated both teams equally.

What is one way you can practice being just?

Courageous

Carl is courageous.

Carl was at the park with his friend Cody. A bigger boy came over and began to tease and then push Cody.

Carl stayed at Cody's side and told the bigger boy to leave his friend alone. When the boy threatened to beat up Carl, he called to other children at the park to help him.

When five children faced the boy, he said something mean and walked away. Carl was courageous because he continued to do the right thing even when it was difficult or scary.

What is one way you can practice being courageous?

Self-Controlled

Suzanne is self-controlled.

Suzanne was enjoying the playground swing during recess. Suddenly, a boy pushed her so hard she fell out of the swing. Though surprised, Suzanne stood up and asked the boy why he had done that. The boy said he was sorry, and explained that he had thought she was his sister, Sadie, who liked to be pushed high on the swing.

The boy pointed out his sister, and from the back she did look like Suzanne. Suzanne was self-controlled because instead of getting angry, she asked the boy to explain his action. The boy introduced Suzanne to Sadie. They laughed about the mistake, and became good friends.

What is one way you can practice being self-controlled?

Faithful

Francesca is faithful.

Francesca used to be afraid to go into the basement. She didn't really know why. But once her brother had accidentally turned off the lights and closed the door at the top of the stairs. Her imagination quickly filled with all sorts of scary ideas.

Francesca's mother told her not to be afraid. She said God is everywhere—even in the basement—and always watches over her. That made Francesca feel better. Francesca is faithful because now when she gets nervous or becomes afraid, she remembers that God is with her.

What is one way you can practice being faithful?

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Learning about Virtues by Juliette Garesché Dages, R. W. Alley. Copyright © 2009 Juliette Garesché Dages. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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