Courage for Students
What is it
Researchers consider courage to be a foundational, cross-cultural human virtue associated with key character strengths like bravery, persistence, and integrity. Although definitions of courage range, multiple studies indicate that courage features three key components:
- Intentionality
- Risk
- A “Noble” Goal
In other words, courage refers to the process of identifying a risk, considering potential alternative actions that could be taken, and deciding to act in a manner that incurs risk (intentionality)—with the goal of obtaining a greater good for the self or others (a “noble” goal).
A high school student is trying to decide whether to represent her school in a math competition. She’s worried about embarrassing herself if she is not able to solve a problem. She’s afraid of disappointing others. After much thought, she decides to take the risk and to support her school.
Or course, students’ actions may be considered more (or less) courageous depending on the level of risk they experience. What feels courageous for one student may not be judged as courageous by her peers or teacher.
In fact, researchers distinguish general courage from personal courage. General courage refers to confident, fearless actions that most people would consider courageous like landing a plane load of passengers safely or defending someone against a bully, yet some actions may require greater “personal courage” simply because of the way a student views the challenge—along with the fear they may associate with performing a courageous action.
After the teacher calls for volunteers to share how they solved the equation, an extremely shy student pauses, deliberates, and then decides to raise his hand. Although he almost never speaks at school, he wants to face his almost paralyzing fear of public speaking.
Several other factors influence courageous behavior including the individual’s abilities, emotions, and beliefs—as well as the larger cultural and societal forces in play.
Ultimately, we can also engage in morally courageous actions to uphold our personal values and convictions. Our sense of honor, valor, loyalty, or duty may motivate acts of courage when our “moral code” is violated in some way.
When a kindergartener hears his peer yelling, “You can’t play with us” to a smaller boy at recess, he immediately intervenes and invites the boy to join his game.
Why is it important?
Courage enhances student well-being.
- Adolescents higher in courage report greater satisfaction with their lives. And later in life, greater courage is related to a greater sense of purpose and life satisfaction.
Courage helps students to navigate social and emotional challenges.
- Greater courage in adolescents is related to the use of more self-directed coping. Thus, in schools the practice of courage could help students better adapt to difficult situations and attain their personal and academic goals.
Courage prepares students to take academic risks.
- Rather than avoid an assignment, students who engage in “academic courage” learn to persevere through a difficult learning task despite their fear, leading to more positive academic outcomes.
Courage emboldens students to speak up in the face of injustice.
- Safe and supportive learning environments can be more conducive to courage, and when students learn to advocate for others, they contribute to creating a more welcoming environment themselves.
Practices
Art on Purpose
Students explore what is meaningful to them through art
Courage Blooms
Recognize and name emotions that can lead to acts of courage.
Courage Challenge
Students explore and enact the character strengths that undergird courage: honesty, zest, perseverance, and bravery.
Courage Creatures
Students use their creativity to explore what courage can look like and feel like.
Identifying Acts of Courage
Students reflect on various definitions and acts of courage—and consider why they think courage is important.
Courageous and Compassionate Citizens
Students foster courage to collectively problem solve.
Developing the Courage to Speak Up
Foster moral courage by reflecting on when and how to speak up against prejudice.
The Bystander’s Dilemma: What Does Courage Look Like?
Students reflect on an ethical dilemma and consider how to prioritize their values—and respond courageously.
Inspiring Students to Help
Use language that sparks helpfulness in students.
Literacy Book Bags to Encourage Courage
Use stories to encourage students’ courageous behavior in school and at home
Reflecting on Moral Dilemmas with Practical Wisdom
Students cultivate practical wisdom by working through a moral dilemma and deciding on a course of action.
Truth in Journalism and Dorothy Thompson
Students cultivate courage by making a commitment to engage in a courageous act.
Learning from Courageous Forgivers
Students learn about forgiveness from book characters.
Compass Points
Students develop courage by evaluating an idea or proposition and taking a stance on it.
Crumpled Reminder
Help students (or staff) understand that mistakes are important for learning and growing our intelligence.
It's Up to Us to Stick Our Necks Out
Students hear and share inspiring stories compassionate risk-takers and then develop their own service project.
Who Are Your Heroes?
Through stories, discussion, and creative presentations about true heroes, students foster their compassion for others and see brave community involvement as an admirable, heroic way of life.
From Sympathy to Action
Students think about the factors that encourage and discourage people to act when they confront suffering or injustice.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
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