Students are still discovering and developing into who they are as people. Having courage and confidence at such a young age can be tough, which is why they need a little encouragement and assistance to grow into the best version of themselves. You can help build them up as they work through this difficult time by providing them with activities that develop courage. These tasks can help build their beliefs about courage so don’t delay, incorporate a series of our activity ideas today!
1. Naming What Scares You
An excellent part of courageous character education is that you get to learn more about your students. Having them work through this courage for kids exercise will help them build strong character traits as admitting what scares you can be challenging for a number of young ones.
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2. Courage
This book looks at and discusses different types of courage and the various everyday situations your students might face that require them to have courage. Activities can include getting learners to make a list of how they show courage throughout every day.
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3. Courage Comic Strip
Courage posters, comic strips, or comic books are fantastic activities to team up with the courage theme unit you are working on. Help build a child’s courageous instincts by developing fictional characters and having them work through their problems.
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4. I Am Strong Than Anxiety
Your students might be experiencing some anxiety. Working on a class task of brainstorming different strategies to help work through overcoming anxiety will definitely give them an extra dose of courage.
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5. I Am Courage
Help your students embody courage and learn about different aspects of this quality. Ask them to discuss with a partner what resilience looks like and to create a definition of courage. By doing this you help to build bravery in your students!
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6. Facing One Fear
More effective than courage worksheets, teaching courage to children is best done through interactive activities that relate to their lives. Having them face fears or be brave is one way to build their courage and certainly builds classroom community too!
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7. I Am a Leader
Strong leaders need to be courageous. Challenge students to think about how they can become a leader in their daily lives more. Have them talk within a small group about different examples of courage they witness daily.
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8. A Cup of Courage
Classroom activity ideas that focus on the goal of courage will help your elementary classroom or middle school learners put their life lessons into action. Have them brainstorm a time when they showed courage to help get them inspired for future events.
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9. Speak Up, Wonder Pup
It will be fun for students to hear a story about a puppy! You can instruct them to make a list of some instances and situations that might require them to speak up either for themselves or a friend. This could lead to a topic of bullying and how to best address it.
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10. Kids of Courage Camp Adventures
If you are currently in a digital classroom or are looking for a digital distance learning option, this Circle of Courage idea is perfect. Teaching students about the 4 points of this Medicine Wheel circle can also assist you in organizing your classroom management.
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11. Mistakes Are How I Learn
Fear of failure is often a big problem that holds students back. You can build their courage by encouraging them to journal so that they feel better about the mistakes they make and will be more likely to challenge their fears in the future.
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12. Me and My Feelings
Let students know that is normal to have, and work through, a range of big feelings. Having them draw a picture of what feelings look and feel like could be an exercise that helps them release the built-up tension they might be carrying.
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13. It’s OK to be Different
Giving students the courage to express themselves, be themselves and embrace their unique qualities is invaluable. Have them share with the class how they are different and why that is wonderful.
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14. Confidence is my Superpower
Provide the students with some discussion and critical thinking questions about why having confidence is so important! Confidence is my Superpower is a great story that students can relate to and will enjoy listening to.
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15. I Can Do Hard Things
Students need to know and truly believe that they can do hard things. What hard things are they currently learning to do and how are they progressing? How can they stick with it despite fears of failure?
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