Photo Flash: CHARACTERS OF CHARACTER Working on Bringing Lessons to the Stage

Illinois' Characters of Character sets out to teach strong core values with their award winning characters, Behavior Bear, Do'er Duck, Friendship Frog, Healthy Hippo, Manmers Monkey, Respectful Rabbit, Responsible Rabbit, Self-Esteem Elephant and Warm-Hearted Walrus. In 2005 the creator of the program, Joni Downey, piloted these characters in a school where they earned a National Promising Practice Award, then a few years later, she received a grant to bring these characters to life in costume, and today, while she tries to market them in schools with cirriculum, Downey realized the reason she got the grant was due to her vision for these characters ons stage.

'Joni introduced animals as "Characters of Character" to me several years ago. Each animal professes a simple memorable message that addresses conditions that affect our pre and primary grade school children and their families. I have several of the Characters posted in my office. My colleagues at work are captured by the Characters and often comment: ..."just what I need", ..."my grandkids would love this",..."this should be in my child's classroom". When children visit my office, some immediately recognize the animals; with a little encouragement from a supportive adult the learning process continues for the child. Each animal has a message and children are asked to tell us the message. The method and environment in which the message is conveyed can play an important role in support of parents and teachers. I am sincere in my belief that "Characters of Character" can improve conditions that affect our youth and can lead to the realization of positive outcomes in the development of our youth. I am a parent/grandparent. My grandkids recognize the Characters and the messages that they "tell them"!' Said of Philip of Illinois Department of Human Services.

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