Character Curriculum Comparison & Review II Laying Down the Rails vs. Character First Education

Homeschool Character & Habit Training Curriculum! I'm currently using 2 programs and wanted to make a video comparing the 2 as well as sharing my thoughts on both and my plans going forward! Please comment below if you teach character/habit training in your homeschooling - what do you use? any tips?
Laying Down the Rails: simplycharlottemason.com/stor...
Character First Education:
(Digital Download): characterfirsteducation.com/s...
(Free Resource signup): characterlibraries.com/educati...
(Obedience Physical Guide): amzn.to/3i0u2zC
Book of the Month referral link: www.mybotm.com/epnkgazxum8?sh...
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Hi! I’m Angie. I’m a homeschooling mom to 4 amazing kiddos (6, 5, 2, and 2 years old). On this channel I enjoy sharing our homeschooling journey as well as my serious love for all the books! You can expect videos on homeschooling curriculum, schedules, and tips/tricks as well as book reviews, wrap-ups, and book hauls. Excited to have you following along!!
NOTE: Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you purchase through the link that I have provided, I may receive a small commission. There will not be an additional charge to you, I appreciate your support!
Where to find me!
EMAIL [e-mail]
GOODREADS / angie
INSTAGRAM / angiesciencemama

[@jlujlm8056]

In case you’re still looking, I discovered in my research that Character First is from the Institute in Basic Life Principles. I have both LDTR & the Character First CD but use “The Power of True Success” & “Character Sketches” with the Character First CD. POTS explains 49 traits & opposing traits from scripture with animal examples & includes the following: love versus selfishness, alertness versus carelessness, attentiveness versus distraction, availability versus self-centeredness, boldness versus fearfulness, cautiousness versus rashness, compassion versus indifference, contentment versus covetousness, creativity versus underachievement, decisiveness versus double-mindedness, deference versus offensiveness, dependability versus inconsistency, determination versus faintheartedness, diligence versus slothfulness, discernment versus judgment, discretion versus simple-mindedness, endurance versus discouragement, enthusiasm versus apathy, faith versus unbelief, flexibility versus resistance, forgiveness versus bitterness, generosity versus stinginess, gentleness versus harshness, gratefulness versus murmuring, honor versus disrespect, hospitality versus unfriendliness, humility versus pride, initiative versus idleness, joyfulness versus self-pity, justice versus fairness, loyalty versus infidelity, meekness versus anger, obedience versus willfulness, orderliness versus confusion, patience versus restlessness, persuasiveness versus contentiousness, punctuality versus tardiness, resourcefulness versus wastefulness, responsibility versus unreliability, security versus anxiety, self-control versus self-indulgence, sensitivity versus callousness, sincerity versus hypocrisy, thoroughness versus incompleteness, thriftiness versus extravagance, tolerance versus condemnation, truthfulness versus deception, virtue versus weakness, and wisdom versus foolishness. Another curriculum we’ve also enjoyed is WeChoose Virtues which works for younger kids as well. Feel free to look into the IBLP site as well: iblp.org/discipleship-tools/biblical-character/biblical-character-curriculum-library I’m all about whatever the Bible teaches so this works for me & LDTR helps give me more ideas to layer on later lessons. Hope this helps!

[@sciencemama]

Thank you, I will have to check it out!

[@readingbliss2954]

Thank you for taking the time to type this out. It was very informative and helpful. I couldn’t use this program 5 years ago bc I ordered the book and it didn’t come with everything that I saw others using in their YT videos. Where were the coloring sheets, the crafts, the videos, and the songs for character first? That’s half the program and what I planned on using. I am excited to look into it again now that I found your comment.

[@readingbliss2954]

The video was key to unlocking some tips of what I missed the first time around too. Thank you Sciencemama for sharing! Great video!

[@michaelasharahyahc7799]

This was so very helpful. I really want LDTR but you’ve introduced me to the other curriculum. Now I’m interested in both but for different ages. Thanks!

[@gretylbaird389]

Second year of home schooling and in all my too-many-hours--to-count curriculum searches a character curriculum never came up. It makes so much sense! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@sciencemama]

Haha, I also love researching curriculum! I'm glad the video was helpful :)

[@mamabear6146]

Thanks for making this! This helped me pick out a habit curriculum for my two boys!

[@katrinalamphere5700]

This is great!!! Thank you so much 😀 I’m so excited to learn about the free resources from Character First Education!!!

[@adelleb2671]

Thank you for this video. I am trying to decided if I will purchase laying down the rails for children and I found it very helpful. My oldest child is just entering kindergarten. We have used the focus on the family free resource : kids of integrity for the last year. (It is not titled 'habit training' but that is essentially what it is). We have really enjoyed it and it has been fruitful for us. There are 32 lessons, each focused on a different attribute (ex. self-control, responsibility, patience). Each lesson has: parent's prayer, kids talk with God, speak a blessing (ways to encourage your child as they have success in displaying an attribute - these are very helpful), memory verses, kick-off craft, bible stories (including suggestions for conversations about the stories), creative discipline and hands-on options (including ways of continuing the conversation throughout your day). There are multiple suggestions in each category so you can pick and chose what works best for your family. There are also planning tools to help you integrate it into your day and each attribute has recommended resources (books and DVD/CD's) I highly recommend it for the younger years. It is recommended for ages 3-10 and there definitely were some options above my children's level that we will eventually circle back to. This is the link kidsofintegrity.com/

[@sciencemama]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@adventuresthroughlearning8048]

You must have been reading my mind! I was just thinking this past week that I want to incorporate character training into our homeschool. We are secular homeschoolers (as we like to add in our own religious studies) and I knew Laying Down the Rails was very religious, so I'm so happy you made this video! I had never heard of Character First Education & am looking forward to looking more into it! Thanks for the information (and the amazing timing!)

[@sciencemama]

Wonderful, I'm glad it was such great timing!! I also find myself drawn to more neutral/secular curriculum and adding in our religious beliefs ... it's nice to know I'm not the only one! Yes, you should definitely check out Character First!

[@tumaestra8458]

This is a bit late but for anyone who may needed. I too am careful on not buying curriculum that teaches doctrines. However, so far with laying than the rails I have not seen it to have teachings outside of quoted scriptures. Unless, you don't believe in the Bible I feel is pretty neutral.

[@sheridanwibeto1813]

I am so thankful you made this video!! We were trying to use Laying Down the Rails for my almost 6 year old and 3 year old and it went way over their head. I decided to drop it and have yet to find something similar but more age appropriate. I am definitely going to get Character First Education! It sounds like exactly what I’ve been looking for. We have been doing a character/manners study in our morning time once a week during our loop and I’m so excited to add this to it! 🙏🏻 I also love the scripture part of LDTR and will be adding in scripture and biblical stories to these. ☺️

[@sciencemama]

Glad I'm not the only one struggling with LDTR! What book are you using for your character/manners study?

[@sheridanwibeto1813]

Science Mama it’s called A Kid’s Guide to Manners. I found it on Amazon and it’s nice because the excerpts are very short and concise. I also usually read a picture book by the Berenstein Bears or The Please and Thank You book by Richard Scarrey. And once in a while I add in a story from the Children’s Book of Virtues by William Bennett. :)

[@springrain777]

Thank you for your thoughts on these. (Ive never come across ur channel bfre) I have Character First, (the older version- the one you have has super looking animal photos). But have had my eye on Laying D.t.Rails for years. Now i might be able to make the large investment im watching reviews again. The boys did enjoy the few traits we did (they were young) but we never continued it. Now they are 5 years older ! Hmmm🤔 im just wondering whether to get the Rails one??? & mayb use both as you will ???

[@Dreblueskies]

Love your videos. Your hair is so cute! I have LDTR as well and my 4 year old cannot connect with the stories. 😬 Maybe later? I’m always weary of anything in the PS system but I might check this out. Thanks!

[@sciencemama]

I'm glad the videos have been helpful! Thank you! I'm also hoping my kids will connect with LDTR once they are a bit older. Yeah, I hesitate with PS system materials as well - but this at least feels outside of all the standards and common core.

[@jenniferrush8231]

You might want to update this video. Character 1st has changed their product. I ordered it based on what you showed and it is not that anymore…. 😞

[@sciencemama]

So sorry to hear that the company changed their product - it really was a fantastic resource!

[@elizabethcervantes4665]

Hi Angie! I love your videos! After watching this video, I decided to go ahead and buy one of the units from Character First Education. I purchased Determination from Amazon as the ones on the website were PDF downloads only. However, I only received the Teacher's Manual. I was wondering of you could tell me where you were able to purchase the posters and cards. I'd really love to have those to use with my boys. Thank you!

[@sciencemama]

I'm glad you found the video helpful! Excited to hear what you think of the Determination curriculum. I purchased the Family Pack (teachers guide, poster and cards) directly from the Character First Education website - but I think they went to only PDFs after COVID. I really hope they come back with the family packs because I love the poster! Maybe try reaching out to them to see if they are still planning on making the posters/cards available??

[@SevenInAll]

That Laying Down the Rails curriculum sounds really interesting! It sounds like it may be a good fit for older kids.

[@sciencemama]

I'm hoping it will work out better when they are a bit older!

[@jefferyalpha803]

It may be helpful for our teen who has Asperger’s.

[@alisonmittelman]

Hi Angie! Wondering if you still use a character curriculum while using Sonlight, or if Sonlight has had something you found to be better than either of these?

[@sciencemama]

Hi! I don't use the character programs anymore, I feel like Sonlight does a great job of sprinkling character lessons throughout the program :)

[@leahkuqo]

I have really slacked in this department. My kids are just one year behind yours (except the twins) and I’ve been at a bit of a loss of what to do. Character First Education looks very appealing!! Where did you purchase the physical copies from? I see your links are for the digital.

[@sciencemama]

I picked it up from the website this summer but it looks like they have stopped shipping physical copies (maybe because of COVID?). There website mentioned the physical copy was on Amazon, so I linked it in my post - but I think it only comes with a teachers guide and not the posters, etc!

[@alinamillard5883]

What are the free resources you mentioned? I'm not seeing them.

[@sciencemama]

I just put a link in the description box for the free resource signup! I figured other people would be interested as well :)

[@juliequates9529]

So helpful. I love SCM stuff, really want to try their art portfolios. Buuut, it's not about us right? I think I might try one of these that you mentioned. Obedience! It is so difficult sometimes to bring a Bible story to real life. I think SCM may work perfectly at a bit older age? Thanks so much this was so helpful

[@sciencemama]

Completely agree with you on the art portfolios - that is also something I’m waiting on to make sure my kids are a bit older!

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

We have tried using Laying Down the Rails numerous times. My daughter will be seven at the end of next month and it’s been rough the last two years trying to use it. She is not engaged with it. Great curriculum but not working for us either. We are using Teaching Character through Literature from Beautiful Feet Books but I’m going to pick up a couple of the Christian Education traits. Appreciate the video.

[@Dreblueskies]

Do you not feel like Beautiful Feet is enough?

[@sciencemama]

I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling with LDTR! I've heard of the Beautiful feet character curriculum but I don't know much about it - how are you liking it?

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

Dre in my opinion no. I love their book selections but the guide isn’t really useful for my family. So we add to the selections.

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

Science Mama the book selections are great but the guide in my opinion is lacking.

[@catherinejewell1876]

Are you still using either of these programs now that your children are a little older? ❤ thanks for sharing!!

[@sciencemama]

Sadly no we are not ... but I do still love them!

[@micaelarobinson9229]

I felt the same way. I think my kids are too young for laying down the rails too. I like the other curriculum for the little ones.

[@sciencemama]

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one :)

[@amreetha7]

Seems like Laying Down the Rails is more inspirational...like it would inspire the kids towards those character traits versus tell them what to do. Am I right?

[@sciencemama]

I would agree with that :)

[@blessedhomeschoolmess]

I love character education, it doesn’t really look like the website offers any thing that’s not digital or kits anymore….bummer!

[@sciencemama]

Ahh, that is too bad!

[@kimberlywolter3740]

Are you still using Character First Education?

[@sciencemama]

No, but only because I had to drop some of the "extra" subjects for enough math and reading time :)

[@alinamillard5883]

I loved this! I have been debating whether or not to buy laying down the rails. I definitely want scripture as the basis, but this other curriculum does sound like a good core.

[@sciencemama]

I'm glad the video was helpful - both programs are great, just different! I love having the biblical viewpoint of LDTR but I might just have to wait a few years for it to really impact my kids!!

[@kathleenschott934]

we are a non religious family& have been enjoying the book Mali & Keela as conversation starters on character.

[@sciencemama]

Thanks for the reminder - I actually picked up that book after seeing it on Project Happy Home, and I have completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it!