Character development is a necessary and healthy component in child development. Children learn how to treat others and how to exemplify empathy, morals, and ethics through their life experiences. Although we are all born with a sense of compassion, we still have to learn how to be expressive in a positive way.
Books with diverse characters are a great way for children to develop character as people. It’s our role to do this as parents because we are preparing the next generation of people.
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Books That Teach Friendship
“Officer Buckle and Gloria“ – Peggy Rathmann
“The Rainbow Fish” – Marcus Pfister
“Jamaica and Brianna” – Juanita Havill
“A Day So Gray” – Marie Lamba
Books That Teach Honesty
“A Bike Like Sergio’s” – Maribeth Boelts
“The Bad Seed” – Jory John and Pete Oswald
“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” – Teresa Mlawer
“The Berenstain Bears and the Truth” – Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Books That Teach Inclusion and Diversity
“The Day You Begin” – Jacqueline Woodson
“Skin Like Mine” – LaTashia M. Perry
“The Big Umbrella” – Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
“Room on The Broom” – Axel Scheffler
Books That Teach Kindness
“Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon” – Patty Lovell and David Catrow
“Kindness Is My Superpower” – Alicia Ortego
“The Mine-O-Saur” – Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
“A Chair for My Mother” -Vera B. Williams
There are many books that can be used to teach character development in children. However, open and engaging communication along with transparency will always be the best teacher. Sharing your own age-appropriate experiences will allow children to see the human side of the character traits that you share.
