“Stand Up” Character for Teens

Getting To Know You What do YOU stand for? What do YOU believe in? Who are YOU? There is one subject that most of us didn’t study in school, but it is essential for our happiness and ability to enjoy every day life…. That subject is Y-O-U!!!

Who Are You? (Handout) Instructions: Fill in the items below. Once you have complete these items draw a colorful picture that represents who you are as an individual. Name:________________________ Nickname:____________________ ________________________ Phone:________________________ Favorite Color: Favorite Activity in My Free Time: Favorite Food: Favorite Memory: Favorite Game:: Favorite Website:

Our Objective Let’s take a look at what we want to accomplish in the lesson of Character. This module is designed to get to know YOU. 1)DEFINE. When we think of character, we’ll talk about what it means to us and why it’s important to understand and effectively communicate what we stand for and what we don’t. 2) INVENTORIES. Completing these inventories will help us learn more about ourselves-who we are now and who we want to be—our strengths and weaknesses (we all have them). We’ll discover our fears and how they can discourage us from building character; and finally why it’s important to think about our current relationships and how to improve them. 3) SELF-PORTRAIT. Gives us a “snap shot in time” as you begin to develop and strengthen your character traits. 4) INTRODUCE. Monthly, we will have a “Character Moment” focusing on a new word to help you grow,developmentally, throughout the years.

Let’s start out with a Quote fromNelson Mandela. “It’s not our weaknesses that frighten us. It’s our strengths.”

What is Character ?? –Character is a combination of qualities, values, attributes that distinguishes one individual, group or thing from another. –Character is also a description of a person’s attitudes, traits, and abilities. Now that we have defined Character, who in your life makes a positive difference in how you live!

“Making a Positive Difference!” (Handout) Instructions: Think a moment about someone in your life who has made a positive difference. Here are some questions to get you started: What is it about them? What did they do? What are the character traits they have? Person: ________________________________________________________ What are the character traits or values that make them special? 1. ___________________________________________ 2.___________________________________________ 3.___________________________________________ 4.___________________________________________ 5.___________________________________________ Suggestion: Why not take the time to tell them how special they are to you! Send a thank you note, call them or visit them. Can you think of other ways to honor people who make us feel special? ___________________________________________

Why is character important for healthcare professionals? Here are some Characteristics of a Healthcare Professional Empathy: put yourself in my shoes Honesty: truthful, fair, upright Dependability: trustworthy, reliable Willingness to Learn: adapt, medicine is always changing Patience: tolerant and understanding Enthusiasm: lively interest, positive attitude Self-Motivation: to do the job without supervision Acceptance of criticism

Characteristics of a Health Care Professional (continued) Tact: say or do the kindest thing Competence: possession of required skill Responsibility: reliable or dependable, accountable Discretion: respect privacy Team player: cooperation with others Patients rely on health care providers to have these characteristics The things that charge us up to get the job done, will help you give good patient care, And in return will make you a valuable asset to everyone!

Character Counts! Nobody’s perfect. Don’t be discouraged. Be strong in your character. Character describes who we are as individuals, as a person.

Does Character include fear? What is fear? Psychologists believe that our fears can possibly influence and even control our character and how we behave or react in certain situations. Our fears can certainly hold us back from developing into the kind of person we want to become. Are you Afraid to Face your Fears??

Face Your Fears Inventory Source : What Do You Stand For? For Teens. Free Spirit Publishing. You can learn a lot by knowing what scares you. Face your fears! Turn your fears into strengths.

“Face Your Fears” ( Handout) Instructions: Fill this paper completely about your fears. My BIGGEST fear is: ____________________________________________ These are the ACTIONS I plan to take to conquer it! Here are my RESULTS. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________.

What have we learned? - Character conforms who we are - Character is a combination of qualities, values, attributes that distinguishes you from another - Fears need to be turned into strengths, face them head on! - Relationships??

Relationships Do Relationships impact who YOU are? Good relationships are important in your character development. You can choose to have one good, close friend or many friends who aren’t that close. Strengthen your relationships!

“Friendship with oneself is all- important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” Quote from: Eleanor Roosevelt

“Mirror Image” Instructions: Draw an image of how others see you then draw one of how you see yourself. Notice the similarities OR differences! How do others see me? How do I see myself?

Self-Portrait Assessment Source: What Do You Stand For? For Teens. Free Spirit Publishing. Tell yourself the truth – even when it’s not easy. Be honest with yourself. GET REAL … It’s Y-O-U! Take time for self-reflection. Maintain your balance.

Character Moment “YOU MATTER!” Character identifies who YOU are in your values and beliefs. Live true to yourself! Be happy with who YOU are and what YOU represent! Live free and full of life!