In July we will be looking at the character lesson: LOYALTY

Loyalty means to be faithful and is the willingness to make an emotional investment or personal sacrifice to strengthen a friendship or relationship.

Both friends and family require loyalty from each other, and a lack of loyalty can be one of the major causes of friendships and relationships breaking down.

Storm Family Martial Arts teaches Loyalty. A valuable skill when it comes to family, friendships and teamwork which will last a lifetime.

Here is a guideline regarding children and loyalty based on age:

• With children ages 3 and 4: they are learning the importance of having family and friends. Teach them how to have loyalty by helping others.

• With children ages 5 and 6: they are beginning to build strong bonds with friends and family. Teach them how to have loyalty by standing up for friends and family members.

• With children ages 7 to 9: they have a good grasp on what’s real and what’s fake. Teach them how to have loyalty by understanding the difference between ‘false’ loyalty and ‘real’ loyalty.

• With children ages 10 to 14: they are mature enough to make good decisions. Teach them how to have loyalty with friends and family by solving conflicts.

Learning and maintaining the virtue of loyalty is a difficult task.  It requires sacrifice, deliberate effort, and wisdom.

Children that learn these lessons and at the same time have the opportunity to practice on their family and friends will build valuable skills in loyalty that will last a lifetime.

The homework for our junior students this month will be to make sure your parents and family/friends know that you care about them.