Humility In School
vs. arrogance
Recognizing the people and factors that have shaped my life
To practice Humility, I will: 
- give credit to others
- admit mistakes
- ask for help when I need it
- realize my way is not the only way
- think of myself less often
Cultivating Intellectual Humility in Children to Prevent Social Vigilantism
By Sandra S. Szczygiel, MS, LPCC
Social Vigilantism, which is the tendency to think that your beliefs are superior to others’ beliefs and that you have a responsibility to assert those beliefs on others for the “greater good,” is prevalent in our society. One only needs to pay attention to the daily news to see social vigilantism prominently displayed by our nation’s leaders. It is likely that you have experienced social vigilantism in your personal life as well, be it from family, friends, or others we encounter in daily life. Social vigilantism, which is found in both the political left and right, contributes to dehumanization, divisiveness, and conflict, which at times can become violent.
In contrast, Intellectual humility facilitates openness to other people’s views, helps with the acceptance that you may not have all the answers, helps prevent forcing beliefs on other people and acting as a “know-it-all”. Importantly, it helps with the recognition that one’s point of view may need review/revision and to accept this without feeling defensive or threatened.
The simplest way that research has found that intellectual humility can be cultivated in children is to have them listen to each other and come to the realization that other people have something to teach them. This can be accomplished in a classroom setting, at home, or in the community.
Other types of humility, which are all worth pursuing, include moral/personal (accurate self-assessment rather than seeing oneself as perfect or as a superior moral authority), cultural humility (respecting other traditions with a willingness to learn), and spiritual (humbling oneself before God).
The Links below will take you to Resources you can use in the classroom or in homeschool
to teach the Character Quality of Humility.
Need to build community in your classroom? Try these team building activities!
The Longest Sentence
Divide the group into groups of 3 or 4 but have an even number of groups. A scribe is appointed in each group. Give them a sentence starter such as “The purring kitten...”. Each group must create a sentence with the goal being the group who creates the longest...
Our other Pillars have resources that can be used in an educational setting or for education professionals.
Visit Humility in Business>>
Teambuilding
Power Up with Character
Interview Questions
Adult Business Books
Visit Humility in the Community>>
Quotes
Character All Month Calendar
Related Qualities
Character Holiday Activities
Family Activity (with a printable for sending home to parents)
Visit Humility in Faith>>
Christian Family Activity
Bible Verses
Christian Poster
Prayer and Reflections
Archived Resources