Now you can paint Warm-Hearted Walrus at home!
Johnsburg, Illinois – New Product available to teach children to be kind, warm-hearted and not be a bully with the Characters of Character very own Warm-Hearted Walrus. Not only can you read a social story titled, Let’s Be Kind starring Warm-Hearted Walrus, or wear a tee shirt that says, “BE KIND”, you can now also purchase a canvas to bring this character to life and reinforce the trait with your children in your very own home! Perhaps grandparents are seeking activities to do with their grandchildren? While the creator of the Characters of Character, Joni Downey hosts painting classes at various Park Districts, you now can paint her characters and bring awareness and reinforcements to help teach your children about the importance of being kind. After earning an award, the characters are shared nationally, and Joni works tirelessly sharing these values with children in her community.
One mom said: “Amazingly fun, educational, & affordable. Highly recommend.” Another parent said this after taking her child to a local library program with one of the characters: “Today my 5 year old and I met the Behavior Bear (who was very sweet) in a special program at our library. We also painted a creative picture and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with Joni’s kindness, patience & creativity. Great experience for both parent & child. ❤️”
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Then this past summer Joni hosted classes at various locations, one of which was a horse farm, check out what this mom said: “Great program for kids. Joni is amazing with kids, and so positive. I wish more kids would experience Character of Characters.”
Then there are the Girl Scouts: “My girl scout troop had a great time with Joni creating their characters of Character artwork!! I love Joni's mission and her passion behind this organization!” and yet another Girl Scout troop had this to say: “What an amazingly fun evening we had with Joni!! My 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts had such fun making their snowmen!! Joni was great with the girls, she explained every step and helped the girls if they were having a hard time. Joni is very encouraging, patient and helped boost confidence!! We will definitely keep Characters of Character in mind for future parties!!!”
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Still, I think this was my favorite because this mom had emailed me this before I even returned home from sharing a program with Manners Monkey: “Super thanks for the great program you gave to all kids at Vernon Area Public Library today! My daughter learnt a lot and cannot stop discussing with me topics of good manners on our way home. She also asked me how to say all polite words in our native language. And she just hung the manners chart on her room. I really appreciate all positive impetus you promoted.” While the library director shared this review: “I highly recommend Joni’s Character of Character program. Joni’s program is unique because she has developed characters that are appealing to children of all ages. Characters of Character strives to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. These values can assist in social emotional learning, good decision making, positive relationships and self-awareness. Children learn about a specific positive character trait through story time and painting.”
Joni brought her Characters of Character program to the Vernon Area Public Library and it was a real hit. Children were engaged while Joni read her book Manners Monkey. They had fun painting their own Manners Monkey which they took home to remind them to have good manners. The children also loved the character visit from Manners Monkey at the conclusion of the program and parents happily snapped pictures of their children’s smiling faces.
“Characters of Character is a wonderful program that will leave a lasting impact.”
My passion to teach children is my purpose on earth, and when you get comments like these, you just know you’re doing what you’re suppose to be doing. However, I can not be at every location, therefore, I encourage parents, grandparents, teachers, children advocates and all who work with our children to learn about the Characters of Character, I’m confident that your passion will grow once you see how engaged and excited the children are to learn about these characters. Hence, our products now being available to help teach these important values and build better communities. It takes a village.
Meet all the Characters of Character at www.charactersofcharacter.org and meet Warm-Hearted Walrus at https://www.charactersofcharacter.org/warm-hearted-walrus.html and to purchase this Warm-Hearted Walrus Painting Kit visit https://www.charactersofcharacter.org/painti-warm-hearted-walrus-on-canvas.html
and as you will learn, the kit comes complete with an 8 x 10 canvas ready to be painted on, together with a character bookmark, coloring sheet, reward card and certificate of achievement to reward your child for being kind. These positive reinforcements and activities are sure to help teach this valuable character trait. I hope you’ll share pictures and stories with me after introducing your child to Warm-Hearted Walrus!
Be sure to visit the Characters of Character and Joni Downey on social media where there we always share news, ideas and templates to help teach children these vital core values. What a wonderful world this would be if our children understood the meaning of these characters and modeled them in our very own community! Once you visit the character pages, be sure to print out a coloring page to use as a sticker chart or a journal cover to help teach your children this character trait. Write your child’s name on the pencil, discuss the trait, let them color the page and then reinforce, I suggest to keep it visual.
In 2005 the Characters earned a National Promising Practice Award through Character Education Partnership and there were only two awarded to the state of Illinois. In 2007 the non-profit organization was formed and the creator, Joni Downey has worked tirelessly since this time to make a difference one child at a time. Teaching these vital core values is important, and while each child learns differently, each parent teaches differently, too. The characters each offer at least 5 books to help teach their individual character trait. First, a Resource Book filled with suggestions, templates, activities, stationary and more to teach the trait with a matching Bulletin Board and Poster book which is also very engaging to help teach the trait to children. Then, there is a social story for each character titled, “Let’s Be”…and the trait starring the character. At the end of each book are interactive questions and pages to write and draw about how the child engages in this character trait in their own life. Next, there is an Activity Book with activities for each character, a Paper Bag Puppet Book of each character and a “I Am Character” book which is colorful, engaging and introduces each of the Characters of Character. All together we’ve published over 30 books and they are available on Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble as well as other online retailers. Plus, we have tee shirts with the character messages as a visual reminder to be of good character. Finally, we are now offering the individual Painting Kits for each of the characters and Warm-Hearted Walrus is the first one to be announced! Your children will surely enjoy learning about these characters as much as you’ll enjoy teaching them. With the various resources you’re sure to find a way to get these important character messages across to your child and they will be internalized and modeled before your very eyes. Priceless.
Regards,
Joni Downey, President and Founder
Characters of Character
