Character Trails, a Review and Giveaway! (ends 5/19)

Need a gentle way to talk about good character with your young ones?  I recently received Character Trails, level 2 of the Character Concepts curriculum for review, and the kiddos are loving it!

Character Trails (for ages 6-9) covers 12 different positive character qualities through the use of stories, discussion, and practical projects.

The set includes:

• a 168-page hardcover book with Bible verses, discussion questions, practical project suggestions, and 3 stories for each character quality  (1 Bible story, 1 historical story, and one about modern day kids)
• 3 audio cds  featuring “Uncle Rick” reading the stories
• a set of 12 Character Trails flashcards, which each feature a Bible verse and the definition of positive character quality.

The set sells for $45.

Additionally, you can pick up free Character Trails coloring pages.

I’m using Character Trails with Peter (age 7) and Mary (age 9).

My older son (age 13) and youngest daughter (age 4) are also listening in.

The author, Marilyn Boyer, suggests reading one story a week, followed by discussing one of the discussion questions and trying one of the practical projects, which would make this a 36-week long program.  The flashcards have short Scripture verses that can be used for memory work.

But Character Trails is very flexible.  If you like, just read the stories and talk about them.  Or listen to Uncle Rick read them on the cd in the car on the way to Grandma’s house.  We’ve been using this in a very laid back way.

What I love about Character Trails:

I can do the character qualities in any order---this is a great way to tackle a particular character issue we’re having at the moment.  So far we’ve read Attentiveness, Compassion, and Flexibility (I need that last one myself, ahem).

We can use it on our own schedule.  The stories are short and easily accessible to young kids, but not at all “dumbed down.” 

While Character Trails is aimed at my 2 middle kids, the oldest and youngest child have gotten a lot out of it, too.  It’s a good fit for multiple ages.

The Bible stories are familiar to the kids already, but Character Trails brings out a different aspect that maybe hadn’t occurred to them before.  This is encouraging them to see more clearly how the Bible fits into their daily lives.

The history stories each profile a famous historical figure---and many of these are new to my kids.  This has spurred interest in finding out more, which I love.

The practical projects really are practical and very do-able.  For Attentiveness, for instance, one is to give your child a notebook for taking notes in church.  Another is have your child ask your pastor what the following week’s readings will be and to read and discuss them ahead of time.

Character Trails would be a good fit for a family, or even a small homeschool group.  Sells for $45.

Also available from Character Concepts:  preschool through high school curriculum for teaching character.

Thanks to the generosity of Character Concepts, the 2nd giveaway for the Release the Butterflies event is a complete Character Trails set! 

Please thank them by liking their Facebook page.

 

 

Here are the details:

One of you will receive the complete Character Trails set, which includes the book,  cds and  flashcards!

Deadline to enter:  Sunday, May 19, 2013 at midnight est.  A winner will be drawn on May 20 or shortly after.

Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond.  If no response is received, a new winner will be selected.

Giveaway is open to residents of the U. S. A.

Must be 18 to enter and my relatives are not eligible (sorry Mom!).

Character Concepts is responsible for fulfillment of this prize.  I accept no liability if for some reason the prize is not delivered.

To enter, use the handy dandy Rafflecopter widget and follow the instructions.  Those who fail to follow the instructions are not officially entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  My review copy and the giveaway copy of Character Trails were both provided free to my by Character Concepts in order to facilitate my review.  I received no other compensation.  All opinions expressed here are my own.