Character Development in Homeschool High School

The Homeschool Highschool Podcast

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Character Development in Homeschool High School.

Character Development in Homeschool High School

In a world that often prioritizes achievement over integrity, character development stands as a vital pillar of a well-rounded education, especially for homeschool high schoolers. As homeschooling parents, we have a unique opportunity to nurture not just our teens’ minds but also their hearts and values.

Character development is a key focus for many of us homeschoolers because we aim to help our young people become:

• confident and Christlike leaders
• influencers and
• culture creators

It involves teaching teens that their character matters. This includes developing skills in five general areas that they should carry from high school into adulthood.

Let’s dive into these five key areas of character development in homeschool high school with practical strategies to help teens grow into compassionate, confident, and principled individuals who can thrive both in their homeschool years and beyond!

Social Graces

Social graces are essential for teens to gain confidence and interact positively with others. Politeness skills, such as saying please and thank you, can make a significant difference in how teens are perceived.

Practicing these skills helps them stand out in various settings, from the workplace to extracurricular activities.

Additionally, teens build social graces by learning to:

• be considerate in crowded spaces and
• use technology politely, including with digital communication

One guide we used with our younger homeschoolers (and sometimes reviewed when they were in high school) is 7Sisters Social Skills for Children.

Self-Composure

Self-composure is a vital skill for managing emotions and reactions. It involves maintaining calmness in various situations, whether in public, on social media, or at home.

Teens can develop this skill by practicing self-awareness through the three W’s:

• What am I feeling?
• Why am I feeling that way?
• What am I going to do about it?

This practice helps them make conscious choices and maintain composure. By practicing self-awareness through the three W’s, teens can learn to handle stress and maintain their cool in diverse situations, fostering personal growth and emotional resilience.

BTW- these are skills that are also discussed in 7Sisters Health curriculum.

Assertiveness

Assertiveness is about letting speech be with grace and knowing how to answer every person. It’s also about expressing oneself with clarity.

Encouraging teens to set boundaries and communicate effectively can empower them to stand up for themselves while maintaining respectful interactions. It involves setting these boundaries and asking for what is needed without losing their temper or shutting down.

This skill is essential for navigating peer pressure and making informed decisions. Teens can practice assertiveness by learning to say no when necessary and using grace and wisdom in their communication.

Empathy and Altruism

Instilling a sense of empathy and a commitment to helping those who are weaker or new can enrich a teen’s character:

• Looking out for those who are weaker involves recognizing
• Supporting individuals who may be older, younger, have a difference or disability
• Welcoming those are new to a group

It is about welcoming and including newcomers, as demonstrated by Jesus’ teachings. This skill encourages teens to introduce themselves to new people and help them feel accepted.

Drawing inspiration from teachings, such as welcoming strangers and supporting those in need, can guide teens in becoming compassionate and inclusive members of their communities.

Prayer and Spiritual Growth

Providing values for teens with tools for a guilt-free and personal prayer life can enhance their spiritual growth and character development. Prayer is an essential tool for character development, helping teens connect with God in a way that is comfortable for them. Encouraging a guilt-free prayer life allows teens to grow spiritually and develop stronger character.

One way to explore their faith is through journaling. 7Sisters prayer journals with prompts can be a fun and engaging way for teens to get to know their spirituality and strengthen their connection with God.

Another way is through learning apologetics, which can develop into lifelong habits of studying the bible and learning about God and His word. 7Sisters offers a FREE apologetics video curriculum.

Whether through journaling or other forms of reflection, encouraging a meaningful connection with God can support teens in becoming grounded and purpose-driven individuals.

Character Development in Homeschool High School

With these five areas of character development, homeschool parents can guide these critical values for teens, leading them toward becoming well-rounded, confident, and compassionate individuals. These skills can help prepare them for academic and professional success as well as equip them to make positive contributions to society.

Together, let’s nurture the next generation of leaders and change-makers!

For more resources and practical exercises, visit our 7SistersHomeschool website.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

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