Show Me Character
4-H Character Connections

Character Counts in Missouri 4-H

For over 100 years, 4-H has encouraged young people to show good character in all they do – to be respectful, to be responsible, to follow the rules – and they have done just that. Character education is a top priority in all 4-H programming. Based on the CHARACTER COUNTS®  Coalition Six Pillars of Character Missouri’s 4-H families are encouraged to “Show Me Character,” not only while involved in 4-H programs, but as an essential part of daily life.

Ask your child(ren) to tell you about the Six Pillars of Character– trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The Six Pillars are the framework for the CHARACTER COUNTS!® Coalition, a nonpartisan and nonsectarian alliance of hundreds of schools and youth-servicing organizations across the country.

The Six Pillars and What They Mean

Trustworthiness

• Be honest
• Don’t deceive, cheat or steal
• Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do
• Have the courage to do the right thing
• Build a good reputation
• Be loyal – stand by your family and friends

Respect

• Treat others with respect
• Be tolerant of differences
• Use good manners, not bad language
• Be considerate of the feelings of others
• Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone
• Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

Responsibility

• Do what you are supposed to do
• Persevere; keep on trying!
• Always do your best
• Use self-control; be self-disciplined
• Think before you act – consider the consequences
• Be accountable for your choices

Fairness

• Play by the rules.
• Take turns and share.
• Be open-minded; listen to others.
• Don’t take advantage of others.
• Don’t blame others carelessly

Caring

• Be kind
• Be compassionate and show you care
• Express gratitude
• Forgive others
• Help people in need

Citizenship

• Do your share to make your school and community better.
• Cooperate.
• Stay informed; vote
• Be a good neighbor
• Obey laws and rules
• Respect authority
• Protect the environment

Practice Character At Home

• Give each child time, attention and affection.
• Treat others with mutual respect.
• Model and teach good manners.
• Share your ethical beliefs
• Expect and demand good character.
• Utilize moral reasoning and good ethical decision-making.
• Evaluate whether the TV shows, videos and movies are teaching lessons you want your children to live by.
• Look for daily ways to encourage and reinforce behaviors demonstrating good character.
• Develop high expectations, predetermined rules and consistently applied consequences for your child’s behavior.
• Read to your children and keep character related literature in your home.
• Bring up developmentally appropriate topics for discussion and ask, “What is the right thing to do?”
• Help your child enjoy non-material rewards.
• Discuss the meanings of holidays and the true spirit behind the special day.
• Look for daily teachable moments.
• Demonstrate kind acts and help people in need.

Improving Our Moral Landscape: A Plea to Parents to Promote Good Character, Mark J. Britzman, PhD., South Dakota State University, National CHARACTER COUNTS! faculty member. 

Adapted from materials written for US Army Child and Youth Services and USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.

CHARACTER COUNTS® and the Six Pillars of Character are service marks of the CHARACTER COUNTS!® Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.