HOW TO USE CHARACTER TRADES
1. Set A Routine
There are 24 character traits in Character Trades. We recommend covering one character trait per week over the course of 24 weeks.
Set aside 30 minutes a week to do a fun activity and have a short discussion time with kids.
At home, it might work well to spend 30 minutes after dinner each Sunday night.
At school, it might work well to spend time on Mondays to set a theme for the week.
2. Start With A Game or Activity
Activity books include age-appropriate activities like coloring pages, word finds, mazes, dot-to-dot, and more.
Our 3-in-1 card deck provides several ways to play: Old Maid, Go Fish, and Memory.
This puzzle is appropriate for a younger child and helps them affirm positivity about who they are.
This puzzle is more challenging and includes all 24 positive character traits and their opposites.
3. Spark A Meaningful Discussion
After doing a Character Trades game or activity, spend a few minutes talking about the character trait of the week.
Remember to keep it interactive by telling stories, letting kids act things out, and by asking good questions.
Check out our Discussion Ideas for tips!
4. Encourage Good Behavior
Catch kids doing well! Praise them for good behavior and they’re more likely to repeat it.
Use Character Trades stickers, postcards and notepads to let them know they’re doing well!
Use this display poster and sticker collection to mark your progress through Character Trades. Each week, let kids apply a new sticker to the poster!
Give out stickers to praise kids for good behavior. (We use special stickers that are easy to remove!)
Send kids an encouragement postcard through the mail. They’ll LOVE getting mail addressed to them.
Parents can write notes to stick in their child’s lunch or backpack. Teachers can write notes to send home with kids to proudly show their parents.
5. Use Visual Reminders
Use Character Trades posters and magnets to highlight 1 new character trait each week.
This will help kids build their vocabulary, internalize the definitions, and remind them how their behavior affects others.
At home, post a 8.5” x 11” Character Trades poster on the bathroom mirror where kids will see it as they brush their teeth. Swap out the poster with a new “character trait of the week”.
At school, create a line up of posters on the wall. Add a new poster each week.
At home or at school, use the large 16” x 20” Character Trades poster in a prominent place to refer to as you work through the 24 character traits.
At home, add a new Character Trades magnet to the fridge each week.