Character Traits

Character Traits

What students learn

Students learn that character traits are words that describe what a character is like. Start with Character Traits: Actions and Words Show Traits to see how readers look for clues in what a character says and does.

Why it matters

Character traits help students understand why a character makes certain choices. When readers notice traits, they can predict what the character might do next. Character Traits: Inside and Outside Traits helps students separate how a character looks from how a character acts.

Learn the idea

A trait is usually a personality word like kind, brave, careful, stubborn, or honest. Traits are different from feelings, which can change quickly. Watch Character Traits: Traits Help Predict Actions and ask what clue helped the reader make that prediction.

Try it

Read a short story or picture-book page. Have the child name one trait, point to one clue, and say how that clue shows the trait. Then replay the first moment and look for another clue.

Parent guide

Keep the talk concrete. If the child says only "nice" or "mean," ask them to show where the character acted in a way that proves it. Give hints from the text, but let the child name the trait.