Create characters; promote positivity

Characters drawn by year 4,5 & 6 pupils in our character workshop held at Arbourthorne Community PrimarySchool were developed into their final “Mega Star” character. The pupils used the app ‘TouchDraw’ on iPads.

It’s no secret that children relate well to fun characters. Advertising agencies have been using them for years to promote breakfast cereals, drinks, yoghurts and many other products aimed at children. It’s not suprising that the use of characters can really influence children so it makes sense for schools to benefit from this idea too.

Using a character or mascot is a great way to communicate an important message to pupils. The use of engaging characters can help you promote values, a mission statement or a school motto.

Introducing a character into your school has many benefits and there is also real value in involving the pupils in the design process. Could your school be missing out on a great opportunity?

Designing your character

Involving pupils in the design of your character or mascot allows them to really use their imagination and is a fun and creative learning experience.

We developed the children’s drawings at Wilthorpe Primary School to create characters to use to promte the school’s “learner values”.

Creative workshops can be conducted with the pupils working in pairs, small groups or as a collective force. They can design characters on tablets, computers or drawing by hand.

Research has shown that children prefer characters that they can identify with. This is the benefit of involving the children in the design process. They help create the character so they are more likely to relate to it and engage with it. They will already feel an attachment to it because it has come from their own imagination.

Allowing the children complete freedom can result in some interesting and inspiring characters being brought to life.

Naming the mascot is also a fun activity. Names can be derived from the name of the school, made up of an anagram of core values or just be something memorable. Some schools even set up voting booths to vote on a name. This gives children a taste of democracy in action.

Utilising your character

Once you have your loveable character it can be used in a number of ways.

You can use your mascot or character to communicate a message or motto. The use of a character is a great way of integrating school values and makes your message easier to understand and remember.

Use your character in rewards systems; perhaps as a sticker, badge or on a certificate. You can incorporate your character onto wall charts or displays and use it to encourage positive behaviours.

Include your character on signage around the school and in visitor areas. It can also be included on letterheads and other communications as a way of creating a recognisable school brand.

Benefits of your character

• Designing the character means children are given an opportunity to plan, imagine and create. Creative learning is engaging, exciting and fun. It helps improve communication skills, foster independent thinking and is important for personal development.
• Using a character will get pupils more enthusiastic about key school objectives. If they are more enthusiastic and engaged then they are more likely to meet the objectives and you are more likely to achieve your desired result.
• Introducing a character creates a colourful and inspiring learning environment which makes children more excited to be in school giving them a more pleasant experience.
• Messages are more memorable with the use of a character because the children are more engaged.
• Characters and mascots offer a more fun and exciting way of promoting school values to pupils, staff, parents and visitors. They can communicate to everyone the ethos and individuality of your school in a unique way.

Bringing your character to life

School Postcards create fun, colourful and inspiring graphics for schools. Often these graphics involve a character that assists in communicating values, a motto or a message to the children. A major reason that our characters are so relatable and engaging is because we involve the pupils in the creation and design process.

In the past we have created characters based on the name of the school, the values of the school and simply from the children’s imaginations. We can put together different options for the final design which can then be put to the vote allowing the children the chance to pick their favourite.

We have years of experience in helping schools in motivating pupils to learn and get the most out of their school journey. We’ll help you create a character that is right for your school.

If you’d like more information about what we do, or would like us to help you design a character, then contact us today.