Character education plays a crucial role in shaping the moral and social foundations of children in elementary school. At this young age, students are in a critical phase of development, both academically and emotionally. Therefore, elementary schools serve as a strategic place for instilling character values that can shape individuals into people with noble morals, honesty, discipline, and responsibility.
A.The Importance of Character Education in Elementary Schools
   Character education aims to form students into individuals who are not only intellectually smart but also mature in terms of morals and ethics. In the face of a world that is becoming more complex and full of negative influences, character education helps children understand important values such as honesty, teamwork, respect, and empathy for others. At the elementary school level, character education can be integrated into various aspects of school life, both inside and outside the classroom.
B.How to Implement Character Education in Elementary Schools :
1.Integrating into the Curriculum
  Character education should be integrated into the existing curriculum, not just as a separate subject. For instance, in Civic Education (Pancasila and Citizenship Education), teachers can instill values like nationalism, tolerance, and mutual cooperation. Similarly, other subjects such as Indonesian, Science, and Mathematics can incorporate moral values relevant to everyday life.
2.Instilling Values through Extracurricular Activities
   Extracurricular activities such as scouting, sports, and the arts are effective platforms for instilling character values. In these activities, students learn to work together as a team, follow rules, and appreciate differences. Extracurricular activities also teach discipline, responsibility, and a sense of belonging to their environment.
3.Application in Daily Life
   Character formation at school is not limited to classroom or extracurricular activities but should also be applied in daily life. Teachers and school staff should set a good example by demonstrating behaviors that reflect character values. For instance, showing mutual respect, discipline with time, and always striving to do one’s best in every assigned task.
