{"id":536,"date":"2012-02-07T15:47:11","date_gmt":"2012-02-07T21:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/ranny\/2012\/02\/07\/media-can-play-important-role-in-teaching-character-building-skills\/"},"modified":"2012-02-07T15:47:11","modified_gmt":"2012-02-07T21:47:11","slug":"media-can-play-important-role-in-teaching-character-building-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/ranny\/2012\/media-can-play-important-role-in-teaching-character-building-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Media Can Play Important Role in Teaching Character Building Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HandsOn.png\"<\/a>Results of a new research study released today, \u201cIt Starts with Character: Inspiring Kids & Teens to Volunteer\u201d found that kids and teens who have more exposure to character-building skills, such as sharing, being kind and helping others, are more likely to volunteer in their communities, and with greater frequency. The study also found that parents and teachers say that media (TV, film, books, magazines, games, apps and Internet) can play an important role in communicating the value of character education. The study was commissioned by Scholastic Media<\/span><\/a> \u2013 a division of Scholastic Inc. \u2013 and HandsOn Network<\/a> \u2013 the volunteer enterprise of Points of Light<\/a> \u2013 and administered by C+R Research and MDR.<\/p>\n

Among the study\u2019s findings from parent, teacher, kid and teen respondents:<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Parents (84 percent), teachers (78 percent), kids age 6\u201311 (73 percent), and teens age 12\u201317 (64 percent) say character-building skills are among the most important skills to develop along with academic skills in order to be successful in life.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The more kids and teens are exposed to character-building skills, the greater their level of interest in volunteering. Additionally, kids and teens who are more exposed to character-building skills volunteer more frequently.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Eighty-eight percent of parents and 93 percent of teachers believe that volunteering provides opportunities for children to build character.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ninety-four percent of parents and 98 percent of teachers agree that media can play an important role in teaching kids the value of character education; 63 percent of teachers believe that kids would benefit from more media exposure to lessons about character-building skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis study demonstrates the importance of having curriculum for the heart as well as the head,\u201d said Francie Alexander, Senior Vice President of Scholastic Education and Chief Academic Officer of Scholastic Inc. \u201cAt Scholastic, we put the same value on preparing children for good citizenship as we do for careers and college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Findings Coincide With Launch of Fourth Annual \u2018Clifford\u00ae BE BIG\u2122 In Your Community\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n

National Contest to Inspire Service and Volunteerism<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis survey reinforces the importance of ensuring that kids are able to discover their power to make a difference in their communities at an early age,\u201d said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light. \u201cPrograms like BE BIG encourage our next generation to act on their potential to make their mark on the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The findings coincide with today\u2019s launch of the fourth annual \u2018Clifford BE BIG in Your Community\u2019 national contest, which is designed to inspire engagement in service and volunteerism. Beginning today, the contest invites kids of all ages, teachers, parents and community leaders to submit proposals that demonstrate how Clifford\u2019s BIG Ideas (Share, Help Others, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Play Fair, Be a Good Friend, Believe in Yourself, Have Respect, Work Together <\/em>and Be Truthful<\/em>) can make the world a better place. Submitted ideas vie for the chance to win up to $10,000 in community grants from the BE BIG Fund to be used to implement the winning proposals. The mission of the fund is to recognize and reward others for their BIG actions, to catalyze change in local communities, and to provide resources for everyone to share BIG ideas. Entry forms can be found at http:\/\/www.scholastic.com\/cliffordbebig\/contest\/<\/span><\/span><\/a>; those interested can also explore their local HandsOn Network action center for opportunities to serve in their community at http:\/\/www.handsonnetwork.org\/actioncenters\/map<\/a>. Complete rules are online at www.scholastic.com\/cliffordbebig\/contestrules<\/span><\/span><\/a>.*<\/p>\n

Additional findings of the study include:<\/p>\n