Character development
An essential prerequisite for an individual to climb toward excellence and reach their full potential is the development of character traits that become an integral part of their personality. This is something we, as a school, can support in collaboration with guardians. Based on our guiding principles, we focus on enhancing our ability to inspire and assist children and students in developing the following five character traits during their school years: curiosity, initiative, perseverance, adaptability, and leadership.
Curiosity
Curiosity is one of the most fundamental drivers of human development and success. It fosters learning and growth, stimulates creativity, builds empathy and understanding, keeps the brain active and healthy, and brings meaning to life. Curiosity is a natural drive in children and young people, and while it is partly innate, we, together with guardians, play a crucial role in encouraging and nurturing this trait.
From the early years in preschool, we begin to cultivate and promote children’s curiosity. We do this by actively creating engaging and exploratory learning environments, providing opportunities for children and students to investigate, ask questions, and try new things. We encourage their inquiries and provide positive feedback when they explore the world around them.
Curiosity is like a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.
Initiative
The ability to take initiative is a crucial trait for achieving success both personally and professionally. In today’s society, children and young people are often provided with so much that there is a risk their initiative-taking skills are not sufficiently developed. It is about training children and students to identify areas for improvement and take the initiative to make things better.
This involves learning to take responsibility and not simply expect someone else to step up and do the work. Taking initiative comes with the risk of making mistakes, and it is essential to practice embracing the possibility of failure and seeing it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
A well-developed ability to take initiative also builds strong self-confidence and minimizes the risk of becoming a victim of circumstances.
Perseverance
Adaptability
Adaptability is becoming an increasingly important trait in today’s rapidly changing society. It involves the ability to adjust positions and strategies to handle new situations and demands effectively.
We strive to prepare children and students to view change not as something inherently negative or threatening but as an opportunity to learn and grow. By fostering a positive outlook on change, we help them develop the flexibility to embrace new challenges and see them as chances for personal and intellectual development.
Adaptability also teaches that there are often multiple solutions to a problem, which enhances problem-solving skills and supports deeper learning. This mindset equips children and students with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Leadership
For children and young people, developing self-leadership is a critical first step. It enables individuals to take responsibility for their actions, make better decisions, and achieve their goals more effectively. Once this ability is developed, they can also cultivate strong leadership skills to guide and inspire others.
When children and students are ready, we help them develop self-awareness by identifying their strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. We focus on training them to take responsibility for themselves and their own growth rather than being overly critical of their peers.
We provide positive feedback, help them set clear and realistic goals, and encourage a mindset of personal accountability. Ultimately, this fosters personal growth and improves academic outcomes, equipping them with the skills needed for success in both school and life.
