Character education and values development are essential parts of helping children grow into responsible, compassionate, and confident individuals. During childhood and adolescence, building strong character strengths — such as kindness, honesty, responsibility, respect, empathy, courage, and perseverance — provides the foundation for positive behavior, healthy relationships, and long-term emotional well-being. Research in positive psychology and child development shows that children with well-developed character skills make better decisions, show stronger self-control, resolve conflicts more effectively, and contribute more positively to their school and community.

Character and values are not traits children simply “grow into.” They are taught, modeled, and practiced through everyday interactions at home, in school, and in social environments. When young people understand what values matter, why they matter, and how they guide actions, they can begin to build a strong moral compass that supports ethical choices and responsible behavior throughout life.

On this page, you’ll find free GrowHumans worksheets, activities, and SEL-based resources created for five age groups — from preschoolers to older teens. Our resources and tools are evidence-based, easy to use, and perfect for classrooms, homes, counseling sessions, or youth programs.

You can use GrowHumans tools to help children develop key character strengths, including:

• Kindness, empathy, and compassion,

• Respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness,

• Courage, perseverance, and self-discipline,

• Fairness, cooperation, and moral reasoning,

• Ethical decision-making and integrity.

Developing strong character and clear values helps children become not only better students, but better people — capable of contributing to a kinder, more respectful, and more resilient society.​