What is Honesty?

What is Honesty?

Here at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, Illinois, we have a social-emotional learning program called True Character. I’m Master H, owner and chief instructor here at the studio. I have two master’s degrees in education.

Defining Honesty

This month, we are talking about honesty: being truthful, being trustworthy, and being fair.

When teaching honesty to young kids, they often understand what honesty isn’t more easily than what it is. They know lying, cheating, and stealing aren’t honest. They can grasp that changing the rules or facts isn’t being honest either.

Admitting Wrongs

However, the challenge for young students is finding the courage to be honest when they know they’ve done something wrong. Admitting a mistake requires confidence, understanding, and courage.

For adults, it’s also difficult to be honest about mistakes or feelings. Honesty can be challenging, whether it’s admitting you broke something or giving a truthful opinion about a new dress. We need to teach kids how to navigate these situations.

For example, my kids, now 19 and 16, grew up with a rule in our house: honesty is paramount. If they lied, cheated, or stole, the consequences would be worse than if they had just told the truth. Once, my daughter’s phone broke, and she made up a story about how it happened. I knew it was a lie but waited for her to come clean. The next day, she admitted she lied, and I made her pay for the phone repair. This approach taught her the importance of honesty.

Honesty isn’t just about big events. It’s about everyday actions, like admitting to breaking a glass instead of denying it. Teaching children to be honest from the start makes it easier to handle situations.

More Honesty

This month, we’ll share stories about why honesty, trustworthiness, and fairness are essential. The goal is to make everyone more comfortable and confident in being honest, rather than feeling ashamed or compelled to lie.

Thanks, and I’ll see you on the mat.

True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.

We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.

Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!