The Circle of Courage is a parenting and education model based on four principles: belonging, generosity, independence, and mastery. It aims to develop positive relationships and life skills in children and is used in schools to empower struggling or at-risk youth. The model is represented by a circle divided into four quadrants, and each principle is essential for success and well-being.
The Circle of Courage is a model of behavior, education and care for children based on four fundamental principles of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery. It is believed that if these four core ideals are present, children will be better able to learn and develop skills to treat other people with kindness and respect. This theory of parenting was developed by Dr. Steve Van Bockern, Dr. Martin Brokenleg and Dr. Larry Brendtro and relies heavily on Native American philosophies for raising happy, well-adjusted children. Today, the Circle of Courage model is also used in many school settings, particularly to work with and empower youth who are struggling or at risk.
In the graphic imagination of the Circle of Courage, it is drawn as a simple circle divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant represents one of the fundamental qualities mentioned above; belonging, generosity, independence and ownership. The circle represents the fact that all people are interconnected and that individuals as well as communities need to possess all of these four qualities, not just one or the other. When groups of people are able to foster these qualities in individuals, they are much more likely to be successful and continue to attempt to master further positive life skills.
There are various theories as to why these four aspects of the Circle of Courage are most important to success. People who feel a sense of belonging are said to be more likely to feel safe and gain the ability to cultivate positive relationships with other people. They are less likely to be angry or aggressive. The next quality, generosity, helps children feel good about themselves and recognize the importance of helping others; it also helps to develop positive and supportive relationships.
Mastering skills and tasks helps create a feeling of competence and higher self-esteem, and also encourages children to continue learning and mastering new skills. The spirit of competition is not encouraged, but rather helping others and mastering skills for an individual’s personal benefit. Independence, therefore, encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and to show respect for other people. They are also secure in themselves and their beliefs, and are less likely to strike out at other people if they feel challenged or threatened in any way. For these and other reasons, working to cultivate these qualities found in the Circle of Courage in students of any age is an excellent way to improve their entire lives, not just their student lives.
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