As part of my character development series, today we are focusing on teaching consistency with “I Will” statements. These are statements are hang in our home or classroom while teaching kids to claim the declarations.
The word of the week is consistency. Here is our Bible verse that kids can we working on daily:
Consistency
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadiest, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 2 Corinthians 15:58
Teaching Consistency with “I Will” Statements
There is something very healthy in claiming statements about who we are or what we want to become. Teaching our kids to set goals like this helps to grow their character.
There are four “I will” statements to claim with each of the 52 character traits we are working on throughout the year. Here are the four for our week focusing on consistency:
1. I will be someone people can count on.
2. I will keep my good behavior more regular.
3. I will have a firm foundation.
4. I will create goals and follow through on them.
Note: I am working on updating my character development series. It has been 6 years since I first began this series. I have changed since then – both as a blogger and as a mom. Therefore, you will find new pictures, slight modifications and new ideas as I move forward updating this series.
My number 4 “I Will” statement has changed. Originally, I had this statement as “I will control my emotions.” Why the change? I do not like how this phrase can be interpreted.
We were given emotions as human beings. I never want kids to stuff their emotions and not feel like they can express the anger, fear, frustration, hurt or even the joys welling up inside them. These are healthy feelings.
The Bible says, “In your anger, do not sin.” – Ephesians 4:26. This shows that the feeling of anger is not the offense. What is wrong is how we respond to those emotions. Consistency means feeling the emotions but having self-control in our response. Due to potential misunderstanding or misuse of my original statement, I have changed it.
Visual “I Will” Statement Printable
The printable pictured above is a new addition to my character development series. I wanted to make something simple but beautiful that parents could print out and display. I know that parenting is busy and full. There is a more involved option I will share. However, for the mom who would rather print and go with it, a free printable is the perfect solution.
“I Will” Statements Board
We made this cute board to highlight the focus phrases. Click through to learn how to make your own chalkboard drop display.
I got the idea for “I Will” Statements from “Character First,” but I have adapted it for my own use. Their curriculum is also a great resource for character development. After I came up with the idea to do a character development series, my teaching friend showed me the Character First curriculum from her school.
More About My Character Development Series
If you are new to my character development series, let me tell you a little bit more about these lessons. If you check out my character development tab, you will discover 52 character traits we work on throughout the year, which equals one word per week to focus on with your kids.
Hovering over the tab will reveal all of the words. Each character trait has 7-9 lessons, so if you wanted to work on character daily, this can be an amazing resource.
This year, I want to focus on cleaning up my series by presenting the lessons to you be compiling all of my lessons on a particular week, this week focusing on consistency. In this series, you will find a word, definition, scripture to memorize, book lists and a number of activities and crafts related to the topic.
I hope you are inspired to work on character with your kids because being intentional in your parenting will help give great direction to both you and your children.