Nurturing Character Through a Faith-Based Education

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Most schools in Beijing promote the importance of nurturing students to act upon ethical values and offer some variety of character education. At AISB-Hope International, we passionately believe that being grounded in faith plays a pivotal role in student development and, for us, integrating faith within character education. We believe that character education is not a philosophy added onto traditional learning but, rather, our value-added component. We aim to foster an environment where students not only excel academically but also develop into compassionate, responsible, spiritual, and ethical individuals.

AISB-Hope International

Character education is certainly not a new teaching and learning approach. The idea arose during ancient times and has evolved within various contexts throughout history. In the past, “character education” was designed primarily for the nobility, as common schooling for ordinary people only dates to the 19th century. In Chinese culture, for example, Confucius’s teachings in the fifth and sixth centuries BCE promoted the progress of self-improvement through the practise of “noble virtues” - respect for elders, honesty, trustworthiness, kindness, benevolence, and modesty. Such values and character traits were also extolled throughout the Greek philosophical and educational tradition by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates wherein a well-educated person could successfully manage affairs and function as an intellectual and moral leader.

The modern versions of character education derived primarily from the British and American contexts which emphasized Christian religious and spiritual principles. The publication of the King James Bible in 1611 - and the simultaneous expansion of the printing press - were immensely significant for spreading religious and faith-based generation education throughout England, the U.S., and the British Empire through the end of the nineteenth century. The Bible was one of the central texts at all levels of teaching and learning in the English-speaking world. As educational training became more professionalized in the twentieth century, scholars and educators brought new secular, social scientific concepts and approaches to teaching; nevertheless, character education remained central.

01
The Basics

At its core, character education is the teaching and learning of values to enhance our everyday lives. There are moral virtues such as kindness, compassion, and tolerance; there are performance values such as perseverance, punctuality, trustworthiness, and forgiveness. Character education aims to promote the idea that something is correct - not for a reward or to avoid punishment - but because it's the right thing to do. So, character education is designed for children to name and practice socially useful traits and values and in the process, understand that education enables people to flourish together, creating a harmonious and supportive community.

02
Spiritual Reflection, Prayer, Humility, and Faith Connections

To reinforce our commitment to faith-based education, we conduct weekly assemblies, providing a dedicated time for spiritual reflection. Teachers actively make faith connections in learning, ensuring that academic lessons are intertwined with valuable moral lessons rooted in our faith-based principles.

We believe in the power of prayer to instill humility and encourage consideration for the needs of others. Opportunities for students to pray for one another are integrated into our daily routines, creating a compassionate and supportive atmosphere.

03
Shaping Young Adults for the Future

Ultimately, our focus on teaching the impact of good behavior goes beyond the classroom, shaping our students into young adults ready to contribute positively to society. The comprehensive approach to character development ensures that our students not only excel academically but also emerge as compassionate, resilient, and morally grounded individuals prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

We welcome you to join us at AISB-Hope International on this journey towards nurturing well-rounded individuals through faith-based education! Scan the QR code below to get in contact with AISB-Hope International and to schedule a school tour.

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Images: Bing, Uni You

 

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