Application of character education to children from an early age

What is character?

Character is a set of traits that are always admired as signs of kindness, virtue and moral maturity. Etymologically, the term character originates from the Latin character, which means character, character, psychological characteristics, character, personality and morals. Another understanding is that character is quality, mental strength, morals or character which is a special personality as a driving force and differentiator between one individual and another individual.

In the view of religion, a person with character is someone who contains potentials, namely :

a. صديق ~ true

b. الأمانة ~ trust

c. فطانة ~ smart

d. التبليغ ~ conveyed. The meaning of every knowledge obtained, I hope he is willing to share and is not stingy in knowledge and honest in conveying it.

Meanwhile, according to educational theory, character is when a person has cognitive, affective and psychomotor potential that is actualized in his life.

Is recognizing someone's character important?

Strong character makes a person strong and stable. This is very important for the nation and the life of the nation. Because this decision involves high personal integrity. This integrity is important to form with character education so that it can be high.

Human character can be divided into four types:

1. Sanguinis

Sanguine is the most common type of human characteristic. Sanguine people have personality traits such as the following :

• Loves fun

• Optimistic

• Active

• Tends to be extroverted

• Have great energy

• Easy to get along with others

1. Melancholy

Melancholy has connotations such as being easily sad and related to something that smells of depression.

People who have this personality type are thinkers and perfectionists. Apart from these characteristics, melancholic people also have other characteristics, such as :

• Very detail

• Tend to be introverted and introverted

• Can be aggressive at certain times

• Anxiety when in a new environment

• Obey the rules

• Uphold quality

1. Phlegmatic,

Phlegmatics are observers. They like to analyze interpersonal relationships between people, as well as events around them. Furthermore, here are the characteristics of people with the phlegmatic type.

• His demeanor is calm

• Loyal to partner and family

• Always try to maintain good

• relations with old friends

• It's nice to do good deeds

• Often mediate in a problem

• Tends to avoid conflict

1. Choleric.

Choleric is a personality type that has a great desire and is very focused on its goals. Other properties also describe the same thing, such as :

• Intelligent

• Enjoys deep conversations

• Not too fond of pleasantries

• Prefers to work alone

• Not very friendly

• Analytical and logical

Do we need to know and understand character in children?

The answer is absolutely and must be. By understanding the character of each person, of course, it will make us careful in behaving, including to people who are known not to just pretend to be familiar and so on, because the way everyone is accepted is not always the same. Because every individual has a different character, especially the character in children, we need to address it so that we can direct the existing characters.

At a child's age, character needs to be directed, which is called character education. Educational character is a form of human activity in which there is an action that educates and is intended for the next generation. The purpose of character education is to form continuous individual self-improvement and train self-abilities in order to lead to a better life.

5 Examples of Character Education that Can Be Applied to Children

• Religious. Religious character refers to the teachings of the religion one adheres to and prioritizes living in harmony and tolerance.

• Environmental care.

• Discipline.

• Tolerance and respect.

• Honest.

Implementing character education for children from an early age is important. Early age is the golden age; that is, at this age, children have quite rapid brain development so that all forms of education provided can be digested quickly and easily.

This is why forming children's character from toddlers will be easier and will become a strong foundation until they grow up later.

Final Thoughts

In addition, implementing character education from an early age also has many benefits, namely :

1. Shaping Children's Good Character

2. Preparing Children to Face All Life's Problems

3. Provisions Before Entering the Social World

4. Instill Leadership Soul

5. Getting used to good behavior

This is why choosing a suitable school for young children is so important. Basically, every school for early childhood has a learning program that focuses on developing children's abilities in terms of motor, cognitive, social-emotional, language, as well as religious and moral values.

Above all, the role of parents and family from home becomes the first school for children...