iServi News | 19 June 2020 | Term 2, Week 8
Character Strength Spotlight: Prudence
Provided by Cat Lamb, a consultant with the Institute of Positive Education at Geelong.
Being aware of, spotting and intentionally using character strengths supports wellbeing in individuals, and helps to build and deepen relationships.
Prudence is a strength which is closely linked to other strengths of Temperance, along with Modesty, Self-Control and Forgiveness. These are strengths that help you manage your habits and protect against excess – sometimes we call these strengths of Balance, or Patience.
Prudence: Caution, conscientiousness, being careful
• Being thoughtful about the impact of your actions and words.
• Being careful about your choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted.
What does a focus on Prudence and caution look like in your world today? Can you ask the other members of your household to look out for, share and celebrate examples of wise and cautious behaviour?
Some suggested Prudence activities:
• Create a plan for the day with a child, ask them to write down all the things they want to do and put them in order.
• Enjoy an activity that will take a long time, like a jigsaw puzzle.
• Start something for the future, like planting a garden.
• Encourage young people to clean their bedrooms!
• With older kids, help them or ask them to set a goal for one month or three months from now for school. What do they hope to achieve, and how can they work towards it?
• Set a fun goal – what’s something creative or enjoyable you could work towards?
• Notice (and celebrate!) when you act with prudence or caution.
• Practice restraint when something pushes your buttons.
Podcast
The Institute of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar has produced a 24-part mini-podcast series on Character Strengths. Each episode explores one of the character strengths in order to recognise, utilise and celebrate it in our daily lives. To listen to the Prudence podcast, click here.
Mrs Franca Coutts
Vice Principal – Community