Building Values & Character

At Stepping Stone School, social skills matter just as much as academic readiness. Through our Kindness and Empathy Curriculum™ and Proud to Be Polite™ program, children build character every day, from infancy through school age.

Find a School

Children playing with colorful pegs on a wooden board at a learning center

Two young children reading a colorful picture book together in a library setting

Manners, Every Day

Proud to Be Polite™ is part of the daily routine at every campus. Through storytelling, role modeling and guided play, children learn to greet others, say please and thank you, take turns, respect personal space and resolve conflicts with kindness.

Kids smiling around a classroom table with fruit and vegetables placed on plates.

Practice for Every Age

Teachers use mealtime, group time, outdoor play and transitions to reinforce polite behavior. Infants and toddlers observe and mimic gentle interactions, preschoolers talk it through together, and older children practice leadership by helping their peers.

Two children sitting and smiling while holding hands in a colorful library setting

Confident, Compassionate Children

Good manners are about building relationships, not memorizing rules. Children gain the confidence to express themselves, the patience to listen and the empathy to respond with kindness, which makes them thoughtful friends and future leaders.

January’s focus is Self-Regulation

The ability to manage your own behavior, thoughts and emotions. Children practice calming strategies through books, hands-on activities and games, drawing on Conscious Discipline. Look for: thinking before acting, making good choices, staying calm.

February’s focus is Kindness

Showing concern for another person’s well-being. Children make cards for others, read stories and spot acts of kindness around them. Look for: standing up for others, offering help, thinking about others’ needs.

March’s focus is Respect

Showing high regard for people, property and community. Activities focus on respecting others and their belongings, in partnership with families. Look for: polite answers, appreciation, accepting differences, using manners.

April’s focus is Trustworthiness

Being someone others can count on. Through responsive caregiving, children learn to be honest, follow the rules and keep their promises. Look for: truthfulness, sincerity, keeping promises.

May’s focus is Ownership

Taking responsibility for your words, actions and choices. Children explore what ownership means through discussions and hands-on activities. Look for: owning mistakes, not blaming others, choosing how to react.

June’s focus is Empathy

Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings. Children learn that others have different thoughts and feelings, then imagine how they could help. Look for: curiosity about others, close listening, finding ways to relate.

July’s focus is Responsibility

Being dependable and making good choices. Teachers read stories each week and recognize responsible behavior in the classroom. Look for: following through, best effort, caring for belongings and others.

August’s focus is Fairness

Treating people in a way that is right and reasonable. Younger children practice sharing and safe play, and older children explore fair and unfair through stories and role play. Look for: taking turns, playing by the rules, open-minded listening.

September’s focus is Cooperation

Working together for a common purpose. As the new school year starts, children practice sharing, taking turns and learning as a group. Look for: full participation, compromise, appreciating others’ ideas.

October’s focus is Integrity

Doing what’s right, no matter who is watching. Activities focus on making words and actions match. Look for: honesty, trustworthiness, empathy when making hard choices.

November’s focus is Perseverance

Sticking with something, even when it’s hard. Every child gets the support they need to keep going and build confidence. Look for: hard work, finishing tasks, pushing through challenges.

December’s focus is Compassion

Feeling the joys and hurts of others, along with the desire to help. Infants see compassion modeled, toddlers learn to recognize feelings, pre-K students spot acts of kindness and school-age children visit local nursing home residents. Look for: comforting others, patient listening, giving time.