Show Me Character
Responsibility

Characteristics of Responsibility

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

Working with Children and Teens
Children learn about acting responsibly by identifying responsible behavior in hypothetical situations. Read the following situations and have children tell what is a responsible reaction and why:

• You’re sitting at your desk ready to take and exam. You were told to bring a #2 pencil, and you forgot. What would you do?

• You’re at a fast food restaurant. You have just paid for your lunch, but when you count you change you notice that its not enough. What do you do?

• You’ve worked long and hard writing a special story. When you get your paper back from the teacher, the grade is lower than you think you deserve. What do you do?

Children become more aware of their behavior by keeping a “responsibility journal” for two or three days. Record behavior in one of these three sections: being dependable, being accountable, and doing my best. Discuss strengths and weaknesses.

Practicing Responsibility 1
Taking responsibility is a way to show we are people of character. It means doing our part, controlling our thoughts and actions, and doing our best. When we are acting responsibly we take the blame when it is due and do not claim credit for other people’s work. We accept responsibility for our decisions. Being responsible means we:

• Think before we act.
• Think about how our actions affect others.
• Think before we speak.
• Are accountable; taking responsibility for the results of what we do and don’t do.
• Fix our mistakes.
• Keep trying. Stick to duties even when they are difficult.
• Are reliable and always do our job.
• Clean up our own messes.
• Show perseverance by demonstrating a commitment to finish what we start.

Responsibility Journals
Encourage your children to become more aware of their behavior by keeping a responsibility journal for two or three days. Suggest they record their behavior in one of three sections: being dependable, being accountable, and doing my best. After two or three days discuss the journal with them. You may also want to keep a journal for the same period of time.

Practicing Responsibility 2
“You can count on me!” We’ve all said it. We’ve probably all meant it. But have we always carried through?

Ethical people are responsible. You can count on them to be accountable, show self-restraint and pursue excellence.

• Think before you act!
• Be accountable! Don’t blame anyone else for your mistakes.
• Be reliable!
• Set a good example in what you say and do.
• Take the initiative to make your school, organization, neighborhood, or home better for yourself and other.
• Do your best!
• Stick to it!
• Finish your work before you play.

Practice Exercises
What would you do?
You agree to go to the big dance with a friend because the boy or girl you really like is dating another student. Five days before the dance, your dream date asks you to go with them.

You give the school lunch lady $10.00 for your lunch. She is very busy and mistakenly gives you change for a $20.00.

Missouri 4-H youth development character education program is based on CHARACTER COUNTS®