Character and Habits with a 4 Year Old

What's your 4 year old like? Mine can be a challenge. Delightful some moments and a challenge the next. I suppose that's just life in a fallen world. However, I have noticed changes this year. His character- both the good and the bad- is more individualized. More unique. More pronounced. The good and bad is more apparent. Pronounced.

You could paraphrase James 4:1 like this-

What makes the wars and quarrels among you? Is it not from the selfish desires of the heart?

That's so apparent these days.

Charlotte Mason was aware of the "passions" or "desires at war within you" as James 4:1 actually put it. She emphasized habit training, character study if you will. Nowadays we tend to view it as a part of social studies. She treated it as a separate, essential, aspect of a child's education and upbringing.

We all need it. Not just my 4 1/2 year old. Our sinful hearts are constantly battling our passions, our desires overwhelming us. Constant prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit, study, and application is needed for change, for gaining self-control and becoming truly loving individuals.

 So...I've decided! It's time to start a formal habits/character study. It should benefit both of us. Yes, I'm including myself. 

I started researching various resources for character and preschool. Checked out some things from the library. Was disappointed when the library didn't have something I wanted to see before buying. I found a curriculum that looks wonderful for next year as it focuses on heart-centered character education for encouraging virtue, but very definitely for K-4. Finally I decided to check out something online I've known about for a few years. I should've started here! We're going to be using Joyful Hearts Character Curriculum from hubbardscupboard.org this year with Theo for habits study. It's a Bible and character study. It focuses on various desirable character traits as shown in scripture, with verses and passages as well as activities.

  Traits Studied

A Godly Boy is:

Loving

Obedient

Humble

Compassionate

Generous

Joyful

A peace seeker

Forgiving

Patient

Attentive

Teachable

Discerning

Kind

Modest

Generous

Prayerful

Serves others

Honest

Thankful

Faithful

Gentle

Self Controlled

Orderly

Respectful

Responsible

http://hubbardscupboard.org/character_activities.html#CharacterTraitTuneCharts
For anyone interested, the curriculum I'm considering for when T is 5 is called Manners Of The Heart