The major reason children lie is to escape punishment. The chances are the more a parent or a teacher is harsh, aggressive, or punitive, the more motivated children are to make up a story to protect themselves from punishment.

I once heard an adult ask another adult if her daughter was in STAND. One adult responded by saying, she was until her daughter was asked to bring in a roll of toilet tissue. The mom said it was too much, too embarrassing. I was so sad to hear this response from an adult. It was such a teachable moment about social responsibility, compassion and empathy.

Students will use these tools long after they leave school. We are giving them a life skill.

Each result has action steps to back them up. The action steps are like a map. If you us them like a compass you will never get lost, and you will reach your destination.

That right there is a wonderful opportunity for the children. How often do students from all over the community get to interact and learn about one another?

Don't blame a child for being dishonest unless you have determined that they really have not been telling the truth. Have any discussion involving dishonesty privately, not in front of the whole class or the whole family, especially siblings.

Food and clothing collections are great ways for children to learn responsibility. And it's even more beneficial if children can go to the facility where the goods are being donated.

It is our responsibility to teach them alternatives to violence, how to manage their anger, how to deal with conflict peacefully, the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated and to think before they act.

It is so simple. It is important that we teach our children the importance of having respect for themselves and other people. If they are not being respectful or if someone is being disrespectful to them, real learning cannot take place.

Reaching out to help others is a great way for children to learn to become responsible. Younger children may not understand the concept of social responsibility, but they will understand the importance of collecting mittens for children who have nothing to keep their hands warm in the winter.