Hello readers and thank you for stopping by my blog Be The Difference. I am a children’s book author and mother to three young children. I am dedicated to spreading the important messages in my books to children around the world. I strive to make a difference in my own home by spending time teaching my children character traits using age appropriate activities and quality children’s literature. I am sharing these lessons with you, week-by-week so that you can do the same. Let’s provide our children with tools they can use when they go out into the world and face difficult situations. Let’s give them a chance to grow up to be Problem Solvers! I would love to connect with you and continue this conversation—please see links at the bottom of this post— Maria Dismondy
What is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgiveness
Book I am using with this lesson:
How I used this book to teach Forgiveness
Book: Read or listen to the book with your child.
Discuss: Bella made some poor choices in the beginning of the story. She knew the rules but she liked her own rules better! She broke the rules and learned the act of forgiveness by having her own little puppy. The puppy acts just like Bella but it felt different when Bella was the one trying to enforce rules and someone was breaking them.
Talk with children about how people make mistakes but being mad and angry about their mistakes only make you feel terrible. Forgiveness is key in moving on and letting go so that everyone can feel better!
Craft:
1, “Be a smartie, Forgive others.” If you are in a public school setting, you don’t have to include the bible verse.
2. “Forgive” coloring sheet. This is a fun doodle sheet!
3. Hot Air Balloon Art: Explain how light (like a balloon) you feel when you forgive someone.
Activity:
- Here is a four part strategy to teach children how to ask for forgiveness.
- Airplane Activity : Forgiving others makes us feel lighter and helps us to soar on in life. Holding a grudge weighs us down.
Product I’ve created to go along with this lesson: Character Education Bracelets–to reinforce positive character in a creative way!
Video that models forgiveness: Kid President on How To Change the World
To find out more about how you can teach character to your students or children:
https://www.pinterest.com/mariadismondy/character-development/
Learn more about the #TakingCareThurs initiative here: http://journaloflaura.weebly.com/what-is-takingcarethurs.html
Continue this conversation on character by joining our Private Facebook Group here https://mariadismondy.com/resources/
Visit my TeachersPayTeacher Store to see products to help support character education: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Be-The-Difference
One way researchers say we can positively connect with our children and students is through journaling. Download this free journal cover and start a shared writing notebook with your children or students today! You will then receive our monthly newsletter filled with ideas on bringing positive character into the home/classroom. Click here to subscribe