Independence Behavior Goals

	What it is?	What it isn't?	Why we teach it?
Trustworthiness	Child can usually do what they say they'll do or are asked to do.	Child can not dependably do what they say they will do or what teachers ask them to do.	Trust enhances the affection, respect, comfort and predictability of ourselves and those around us.
Respect	Child shows respect for concerns, feelings and safety of others. Child has the tendency to be supportive of others efforts, but not flinch from honest evaluations of ones own and others efforts.	Child fails to show respect for other's physical or emotional well being by frequently criticizing/putting down other children or physically hurting them.	Respect for feelings and actions of others elevates both parties. Putting others down in order to make ourselves look better by comparison merely serves to diminish our own status.
Responsibility/ Honesty	Child has the tendency to accept responsibility for one's own actions, to admit one's part in a problem.	Child often fails to take responsibility for actions by lying or blaming others. Child will cry or tantrum as a way of diverting attention from the task.	The failure to accept responsibility of our actions is dishonest and unintelligent. Without admitting our mistakes, no change is possible.
Follow Through	Child usually finishes what they start particularly when the going gets difficult or boring. Child usually picks up own mess.	Child often quits activity part way through when things get a little difficult or boring. Child often doesn't clean up own mess.	Follow through gives us the ability to succeed when we encounter new and difficult situations. Without it, all learning is shallow, fragmented and incomplete.
Self Control	Child has the ability to not act immediately on impulses that might be harmful to themselves and others. Child has the ability to inhibit or alter destructive moods such as anger or depression, or enhance productive or pleasurable ones.	Child is typically unable to inhibit impulses that are harmful to themselves and others. Child has an inability to delay gratification, a tendency toward frequent tantrums and/or difficulty in staying focused.	Self control allows us to act in our own best interest rather than against them.
Self Help	Child makes a serious effort to take care of his/her physical well being (i.e. flush toilet, wash hands, button coat, tie shoes, etc.)	Child makes little effort to take care of his/her physical well being - usually asking someone to do it for him or her or merely neglects to do anything.	Helping oneself leads to cleanliness, a sense of order, independence and self-respect.
Helping Others	Child has the tendency to help another child or adult, usually without being asked, through not necessarily.	Child has the tendency not to help others even when it is evident that they need it.	Helping endears us to others. What you give them may some day be returned when you need it. It is the glue of healthy, social relations.