A person of character is responsible, diligent and accountable. A person of character considers the consequences of his or her actions before acting. A child is not born with these character traits; they are learned through experiences from birth. These factors play a fundamental role in children's growth and development.

Consider the following examples of "do's and don'ts."

Do

• What you're supposed to do.
  
• Persevere.
  
• Pursue excellence. Do your best in everything you do.
  
• Show self-control and self-discipline.
  
• Think before you act.

Don't

• Blame others for your mistakes.
  
• Give up easily.
  
• Let others down who are counting on you.