Mind Your Manners!

What do Behavior Bear, Do’er Duck, Friendship Frog, Healthy Hippo, Manners Monkey, Respectful Rabbit, Responsible Rabbit, Self-Esteem Elephant, and Warm-Hearted Walrus have in common? They are the embodiment of the nine traits all children should strive for, according to Characters with Character: good behavior, perseverance, friendship, healthy habits, manners, respect, responsibility, self-esteem, and kindness. Through stories, art projects, hands-on activities and even live costumed characters, these traits are introduced and reinforced and talked about in an interactive and meaningful way through this nonprofit organization.

Joni Downey, creator of Characters with Character, developed this curriculum for preschool and elementary-age children and takes her programs and resources to schools, libraries, after-school programs, and park districts to talk to young children (and sometimes their caregivers) about what it means to grow up as a good citizen of the world.

Downey began her labor of love over a decade ago, bringing the characters to life and finding ways to present them in an engaging way. She piloted the program at an elementary school where she worked; Downey was pleased to find that the characters were a great way to connect with kids and get them to start the discussions about what it means to be a compassionate person. In 2005, Characters with Character was awarded the Promising Practice Award, from Character.org, which showcasesinnovative programs that advocate for young people and have an impact across the nation and abroad.

Downey left her job two years ago so she could devote all her time to developing a curriculum, materials, and resources. She says Joe, her husband of 37 years said, “Joni, you do you!”

“He’s my greatest supporter,” she said.

To date, Downey has published over 35 books related to the program and works tirelessly presenting the program and getting the word out. When she received a grant for costumes, it enabled her to breathe life into the characters she developed that before then only lived on the page.

“The kids react to the costumes,” said Downey. “They immediately want to know more about it. This is more than just preaching to a child to behave: you can’t just teach children, you have to show them. Let them know what it means to be successful. Or give them reasons why they should proud of who they are.”

These days, Downey is leading Mommy and Me Painting Classes, in which caregivers (not just mommies) and children come together to hear stories and paint on canvas while learning about the character traits.

“We tell a short story to introduce the character,” explains Downey. “Then we bring it to life on canvas and discuss what the traits mean.”

Downey hopes that by starting the conversation at an early age, the traits will become second nature by adulthood.

“I want it to continue for a lifetime,” she said.

Tina Bupp, of Johnsburg, attended a Mommy and Me Painting Class last summer with her 3 year-old daughter, Remi. ‘“Joni is absolutely amazing with the kids,” she said. “Her class is great hands-on learning for toddlers. My daughter enjoyed learning how to paint and got to bring home her very own sign she created. She was so proud!”

At the other end of the age spectrum, Joni visited a class of 5th graders recently at a school.

“The social worker was concerned [the program] would be too cutesy. But once I got there, we talked about self-esteem.” What followed was an open, honest conversation with the 5th graders.

“Before I knew it, kids were telling their peers that they were good at skateboarding, or good at art. Being successful isn’t always about school or sports. You need to have that discussion! It doesn’t get much better than to have these discussions with your kids.”

Downey feels that the world is getting more fast-paced than ever, and taking the time to sit down with kids and have meaningful discussions is sometimes lost in the busy day-to-day routine.

“The goal of this program is to make a child feel wanted and needed and proud about who they are,” she said. “If they have that foundation, they’ll do great in life.”

Bupp agrees.

“I love the message that Joni and Characters with Character teaches kids…we need more positive influences like her around. Her program has helped spread joy and love to numerous kids in the area. I hope she continues to spread her positive message to kids of all ages!”

Characters of Character is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing tools and resources to educators and parents to help teach children nine positive character traits. For more information, visit www.charactersofcharacter.org

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