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How did you know?

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This talk is about: Virtue The best time to develop specific virtues How to develop virtues

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Why do we need virtues? So that we can do the right things right.

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What is a virtue? It is a good habit. Makes us ready to do good. Builds a strong character.

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What is a Vice? It is a bad habit. Inclines us towards evil. Destroys our character.

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Classification of Virtues Human Virtues broadly divided into four. Justice The good of others Fortitude The difficult good Temperance The good with respect to myself Prudence The mother of all virtues and the guide of all good habits Theological Virtues - gratis FaithI believe in everything You have told me HopeI trust your promises CharityI love You and all Your other children

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How do we develop a virtue? By observing the virtue in others By repetition of good actions related to the virtue with intensity by upholding a right intention and motivation By developing other virtues By getting rid of contrary vices

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When should we teach these virtues?

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Professor David Isaacs suggests, while bearing in mind that each family and child is different, that there are particular periods as a child is growing which are more appropriate for the development of specific virtues. A suggested arrangement of virtues according to age

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Character Building by age

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Early childhood In a young child the foundations of virtue are built by example, clear consistent guidelines, routines, close follow up, and punishments imposed without anger.

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Later childhood When a child is older the focus continues on orderly routines and clear parental expectations, but attention to his motives becomes more important.

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The child can be helped to reflect on his own actions by asking him to make certain decisions himself, teaching him to learn from his mistakes encouraging him to have an optimistic view of difficulties the imposition of punishments which are most effective when they help the boy remedy the consequences of his poor actions.

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These children are able to take far more responsibility for their own character improvement. act from motives of charity towards a parent or one of their sisters or brothers. Home atmosphere and family example continue to play a major role. A positive peer group becomes very noticeable also at this time

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Teenage Years In teenage years, they develop the adult capacity to act from personal conviction. More freedom and autonomy is a prerequisite for a mature personality.

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Parents should not be scared when they observe a growing independent spirit in their son or daughter. react with panic and legislate rules as if their teenager were still a child. retard the development of their offspring by smothering him with childish pampering. look on fondly as their teenager exhibits every sort of silly, superficial behaviour, naively justifying it with words such as "kids will be kids".

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Virtues are not fostered impersonally. A teenager will grow in virtue because he is encouraged personally to improve himself, to seek higher ideals, and to act from better motives.

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Parents must be in a position to talk frequently and confidently to their teenage son and daughter so that they can provide this affectionate encouragement. The foundations for such a relationship are sown in the friendship and time spent together in childhood years.

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Only if such a close relationship exists will the firm, clear guidelines needed in teenage years be trustingly accepted. And only through such a close relationship will the parent have sufficient sensitivity and understanding for their teenager' s thoughts and feelings, and sufficient respect for his or her legitimate freedom.

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Obedience Accept as ones own, decisions which come from whoever holds and expresses authority, provided they do not go against justice, he carries out promptly what has been decided, striving faithfully to interpret the will of him who commands. Virtues to emphasize up to age 7

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Sincerity A sincere person makes full disclosure, where appropriate, to the right person at the right time, of anything he has done, seen, thought or felt with regard to his own or anothers situation. Virtues to emphasize up to age 7

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Orderliness Follow a logical procedure to achieve a set goal This is done by: organizing his things, using his time well, carrying out his activities on his own initiative, without having to be constantly reminded. Virtues to emphasize up to age 7

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Fortitude In situations which make it difficult to improve, a courageous person resists harmful influences, withstands difficulties and strives to act positively to overcome obstacles and undertake great deeds. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Perseverance Once his decision is made, a persevering person takes the steps necessary to achieve the set goal in spite of internal or external difficulties despite anything which might weaken his resolve in the course of time. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Industriousness An industrious person does diligently those things especially essential to the achievement of supernatural natural maturity, and helps others to do the same, in everyday work and in the fulfillment of ones other duties. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Patience A patient person bears present difficulties calmly, in a situation where he senses some difficulty or some good which is difficult to achieve. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Responsibility Accept the consequences of his actions, both intentional or unintentional, so that others either benefit as much as possible or, at least, do not suffer Concerned that others over whom one has any influence should act similarly. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Justice Strive constantly to give others what is their due so that they can fulfill their duties and exercise their rights as persons, as parents, as children, as citizens, as workers, as rulers, etc. and he also tries to see that others do likewise. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Generosity Act unselfishly and cheerfully for the benefit of others, conscious of the value of his help and despite the fact that it may cost him an effort. Virtues to emphasize between age 8 and 12

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Thank you!