Taking care of our children's physical needs is important, but helping them develop strong character is at least as vital. It's our job as parents to shape the character of our children as they grow, give them a sense of right and wrong and provide them with an inner compass that will guide them through life.

Each of us must decide what values and character qualities we want to pass on to our children. Here are some things to consider and steps you can take to build strong character into your children.

• Be intentional. Set aside some time to make a list of the values you and your spouse want to pass on to your children.

• Be consistent. Remember that your child is learning even when you’re not aware that you’re teaching. One day he will follow your example and not your advice.

• Supervise your kids’ intake. Carefully monitor their television watching and Internet time.

• Teach consequences. If your child is loses or breaks something that belongs to someone else due to irresponsible behavior, don’t save him. Make him help pay for the repair or replacement, and experience the pain of his behavior. Experience is a powerful teacher.

• Discuss compromise. Make sure your kids know that if they have to do the wrong thing to stay on the team, they are on the wrong team.

• Teach by your own mistakes. Catch yourself whenever you’re inconsiderate or exhibit poor behavior. Don’t make excuses or try to justify your actions. Admit when you are wrong.

• Recognize acts of kindness. Whenever you observe someone being considerate to another, point it out to your child. Always praise your child’s acts of kindness.

• Teach respect for authority. Daily events offer many occasions to teach respect, but children need to learn it from your example. Do you disregard the law or bad-mouth the school authorities? Remember, more is caught than taught.

• Honor heroic behavior. Point out instances in the news and everyday life in which people have been heroic.

• Emphasize good manners. Good manners do more than make children pleasant to have around; they build confidence in your kids to face varied social situations. Explain that good manners are a way we show respect for other people.

• Be generous with praise. The five-to-one praise principle is a good rule of thumb to follow: throughout the day, try to balance every negative comment you make to a child with five positive comments. Look for ways to affirm your child’s unique giftedness and personality. He will be less likely to look desperately for acceptance in the outside world.

• Take a few minutes each morning to get centered. Help your kids start their day with positive, wise thoughts. At our house, we read a chapter from the book of Proverbs, which teaches wise living, then said a prayer for our day. Investing a few minutes in this way reaps big dividends.