Want an easy simple way to teach and train your children in character development? (Character development is never easy but at least the training method can be simple!)
We’ve been using Letter Lessons for more than 3 years now, simply going through the traits, activities, and scriptures each school year. At some point we’ll add more verses, but for now I’m opting for our children (aged 6 & 4 now) really knowing these verses and traits, before adding more. You can download the printable pages here LETTER LESSONS PDF, and add ideas for your own kids’ temperaments and ages. I suggest posting the week’s page on the fridge and aiming for one planned “practice” activity each day, knowing that just living life will afford plenty of opportunity for practicing these, giving you the chance to really seize those teachable moments. We’ve also used For Instruction In Righteousness as a supplement, for training and character development.
NOTE: Decide ahead of time how you will say the verse and repeat it in the same tone, cadence, and inflection every time, for easier memorization. If possible, add hand motions and facial expressions to help as well.
Now, your turn: What are your favorite resources for creative Character Development in your children? Share with us! Thanks for reading.
LIST OF TRAITS/VERSES: (See full sheets here: LETTER LESSONS PDF)
Attentive: “Son, be attentive to my words.” Proverbs 7:24
Brave: “Be strong and brave, do not be afraid!” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and brave, be sure to obey! Don’t turn to the right, don’t turn to the left, that you may have success!” Joshua 1:7
Compassion: “Put on compassionate hearts.” Colossians 3:12
Discipline: “I discipline my body.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 “Discipline is hard, it is not fun, but it makes us godly when we’re all done!” Hebrews 12:11
Enthusiasm: “Serve God with enthusiasm.” Romans 12:11 (Yes, we use this same verse for zealous — doesn’t hurt to learn it in two translations!)
Forgiveness: “When we say sorry, Jesus forgives.” 1 John 1:9 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Gentleness: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (This one’s long but we use it several times, so there’s plenty of time to practice!)
Gratitude: “I will sing and praise God with gratitude!” Psalm 69:30
Generous: “Do good, be generous, ready to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18
Honesty: “Do not lie.” Exodus 20:16
Honor: “If I honor mommy and daddy then life will be good.” Ephesians 6:2-3
Integrity: “I will walk with integrity of heart.” Psalm 101:2 (walking motions)
Joy: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:2-23
Kindness: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:2-23
Love: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:2-23
Meekness: “Blessed are the meek.” Matthew 5:5
Neatness: “Lazy hands make a man poor.” Proverbs 10:4 (We also memorize the Four Rules for Neatness–see PDF)
Obey: “He who does not obey will die.” Proverbs 19:16 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right!” Ephesians 6:1 “Children obey your parents ALL THE TIME, for this makes God happy!” Colossians 3:20
Patience: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:2-23
Quietness/Quick to listen: “Be quick to listen and sloooow to speak.” James 1:19
Respect: “Respect Daddy.” Ephesians 5:33
Serve: “Jesus came to serve.” Mark 10:45
Thankfulness: “In everything be thankful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Trust: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Understanding: “Whatever you get, GET understanding!” Proverbs 4:7
Virtue: “Add to your faith virtue!” 1 Peter 1:5
Wisdom: “By wisdom a house is built.” Proverbs 24:5
eXercise: Bodily exercise is good, Godly exercise is GREAT!” 1 Timothy 4:8
Yielding: “Godly wisdom is willing to yield.” James 3:17
Zealous: “Always be zealous, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11
37 thoughts on “Letter Lessons: 26+ character qualities for kids (Printable PDFs available now!)”
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Kari, I adapted this to use with my 10 and 8 year old for homeschooling this year and it’s great. We discuss the character trait, find Bible stories to read about it and all sorts of stuff. They’ve really enjoyed it.
I would love to get the print outs! I have something similar that I used with Abiah a long time ago but the verses are longer and I didn’t have the character traits. I have loved using my StartWrite handwriting program for printing off any and all papers for them to use. It’s simple to use and you can format the pages however you want them.
I would love the pages in PDF. Thanks!!
Can I get the PDFs too Kari,please? I am excited to work on this with Wyatt. Thank you friend for sharing…
You must have read my mind because I always mean to ask you for a resource for memorizing scripture with little ones. I loved seeing you do it at Bible Study and really really want to do it with Zane.
This is a great idea and I’m totally going to do it!
YES PLEASE! We did letters last year. I would love these verses to accompany this year! FUN! So um, yes may I please have the PDF?
Me, too, please?
Hey Kari!
I just have to add here- there is a book that we love by Susan Hunt called “My ABC Bible Verses” that have full Scripture A through Z and focus primarily on character traits as well. There is a great little story for young readers too (it’s a brother-sister pair) and the E’s have really grasped a lot just in the scenarios they give. Excellent little book! Also, we’ve been doing “My Father’s World A thru Z” this year and I wish I would have done it when Ellie was 4. If you’re still looking for more “fun” things to do, this would be great. It takes them through each letter, a subject, and then relates it to some principal. i.e. you start with S, learn all about the phonics of S and then relate that to when I think of the Sun, I think of the SON and that Jesus is the LIGHT of the World. Really cool and I think it’s a bit “easy” for Kindergarten and would be an excellent pre-K resource. Then you have fun crafts/experiments/recommended library books etc on that subject. HIGHLY recommend it. I would just get the teacher manual and skip all the rest of the recommended stuff if you’re doing for pre-K… and take and pick what you like. Also…. I can’t recommend “Seeds Family Worship” enough! I’m SO annoyed by kids CD’s most of the time but this is made for adults too! Scott and I listen to it willingly in the car and it’s full-on Scripture to song (nothing else)…and very catchy tunes too! I even listen to it when I’m by myself in the car!!! I’ve never learned Scripture so easily in my life! And I actually find myself singing them often! LOVE THEM! ALL of them are good but Seeds of Praise and Seeds of Faith are great to start with. I think Heidi and Dutch would LOVE! Addie (not even 2 yet) even has some of these memorized! They are phenomenal! Anyway… just a plug for some other great resources!!!
Thanks, Jen! I need to get that Susan Hunt book–I heard about it from another friend too. We’re actually doing the My Father’s World kindergarten curriculum this year. I’ll check out the Seeds ones too; I’ll admit I usually avoid children’s CDs like the plague, but if you say they’re not annoying I’ll take the plunge. 🙂
Thanks, Jen!
Hi! I’m loving this. My oldest is not quite 3 but I can’t wait to do this with her. Can I get the PDF too? Enjoying exploring your site.
Yes! I’ll send it on over. Thanks so much for joining us here, it’s a delight to “meet” you!
Yes! I’ll send it on over. Love your site. Thanks so much for joining us here!
This looks excellent. Can I get the PDF please? Thanks.
can I get the PDF of these? Thanks!
Do you still have the PDF? Can I have one? Super excited to teach letters this way.
Kari~
Could I get the PDF’s from this post. This is such a great idea! I look forward to using it with my four little kiddos:) Thanks so much for being willing to share them!
May I get your PDF’s as well?? I LOVE your site!!!
Could you send me the PDF’s too? I’m looking forward to doing this with my daughter. Thank you!
Kari,
May I have the PDF as well?
Only in Jesus,
Sherri
Hey Kari! Been wandering around your blog…love your ideas! I know this is like a million years after you posted this, but do you still have those PDFs? I’m looking for something simple to do over summer and I love the idea of using character traits. This would be great for my daughter (who’s almost 3) with learning her letters. Thanks!! 🙂
Thanks for your wonderful blog! Your openness and thoughtfulness are a refreshing cool breeze (important in Tx!) and a wonderful reminder to keep the focus on the (truly) important things.
I been blessed as I read your columns during a time of lots of transitions (new home, new neighborhood, new schools in the fall,new job for DH…) and while it is challenging, it is also a wonderful time to renew and freshen-up old habits and start new ones!
If you can easily retrieve it (know it has been a long while since this post) and can pass along a copy of the PDF, it would be greatly appreciated
(Sorry – messed up on my email address on the last comment!)
Thanks for your wonderful blog! Your openness and thoughtfulness are a refreshing cool breeze (important in Tx!) and a wonderful reminder to keep the focus on the (truly) important things.
I been blessed as I read your columns during a time of lots of transitions (new home, new neighborhood, new schools in the fall,new job for DH…) and while it is challenging, it is also a wonderful time to renew and freshen-up old habits and start new ones!
If you can easily retrieve it (know it has been a long while since this post) and can pass along a copy of the PDF, it would be greatly appreciated
Could I Get The Pdf If Your Still Doing That 🙂 Thanks!
May the peace of God be always in your heart and home.
can you please sent the PDF’s too. thanks
you have great ideas.
hi,i am from india and plan to start homeschholing my 7 year oldand need lots of ideas i read your other blogs and found out a lot tahanks
What a great resource you have made for us, Kari! WOW.
I’m printing this out now to add to our circle time memory work. THANK YOU!!!
Oh yay! Just a warning, these definitely get stuck in your head, so I have very childish versions of many scriptures in my mind for forever now! Like, “Discipline is hard, it is not fun, but it makes us godly when we’re all done!” But at least they’re in there!