Throughout February 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “loyalty.”

All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand how to be faithful, steadfast and true to someone or something. We will also help them understand that loyalty doesn’t demand silence when we feel that somebody or something is in the wrong.

Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.

In this video, Dr. Robyn answers a question from a 12-year-old girl who knows her best friend is cheating on tests, but doesn’t want to get her into trouble. She’d like to know what suggestions Dr. Robyn has for her:

There’s no better way to drive home the lessons we teach at Urban Martial Arts than by reinforcing them… well, at home!

To give you more ideas for conversation topics, here’s a run-down of what we’ll be discussing this month:

Week 1 Loyalty defined: Responsibility, faithfulness, dependability, and trust
Week 2 Loyal roles: How can I be a loyal friend, child, sibling and citizen?
Week 3 Speaking up vs ratting out: When “loyalty” feels strange
Week 4 Loyal Student: How can I be loyal to my school, my goals, and my classmates?

We’d love to hear how your conversations go with your child so do share with us!

About Dr. Robyn:
Dr. Robyn Silverman, child development specialist, body image/body bullying expert, sought-after speaker and award-winning writer, is known for her no-nonsense yet positive approach to helping young people and their families thrive. Her ground-breaking research at Tufts University on young women is the foundation for her book, “Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It.”

Photo Credit: Orin Zebest on Flickr