Catholic Values Inspired Through Think Virtues™

LONG GROVE, Ill. - March 24, 2015 - PRLog -- March 24, 2015.  Long Grove, Illinois.  Catholic families and schools have long included the teaching of virtues in Catechism, and now a new secular program geared at developing character and empowering morality is reaching Catholic teachers, parents and children on a new level. Think VirtuesTM, founded by sisters Kathy and Sara Motlagh is on a mission to bring decency and kindness back into humanity through an age-appropriate, real-time, real-life integrated teaching program inspiring teachers and families to incorporate their own faith-based values and teaching in character development. Think Virtues has proven that by cultivating good behavior you grow a happier, more confident and more successful individual and community at any age.

Sara Motlagh, a teacher and doctoral candidate in early childhood and adolescent teaching, states, “Today, 9 of 10 children lack coping skills.  They don’t know how to interact with one another, they don’t know how to respond when things aren’t perfect. The result can be anxiety and personality disorders that solidify or amplify in adulthood; early intervention is key.  We developed Think Virtues to build more than character; in just minutes each day, Think Virtues nourishes the social and emotional health of every child and the generations teaching, parenting, coaching, praying with and guiding our children.”

Think Virtues is learned through the fictional, fantasy, action-filled story series Eutopia, created, illustrated and authored by founder Kathy Motlagh and is complemented by teaching tools, activities and games.  “I was inspired to create Think Virtues when experiencing the limited opportunities my young sons had to learn about virtues outside of my own personal direction and reminders to them for good behavior.  When volunteering in the classroom setting I further witnessed how many obstacles there were in children’s abilities to cope with conflict, and conversely how many opportunities there were to inspire and share good behavior.  What was lacking was a formal program and teaching tools or direction to engage and inspire children, and that’s where Think Virtues evolved.”

Kathy and Sara’s family immigrated to the United States, and through ignorance and arrogance were victims of bullying and racism. “You never realize how deeply such actions can influence an individual’s confidence, character and development until you experience first-hand what the opposite – practicing virtues – can do to evolve and empower an individual,” says Sara Motlagh.

“The decline of moral behavior is pervasive in our society,” says Kathy Motlagh.  “Theologians often connect this to the decline of active religious practice, but you have to start somewhere to embrace not just one religion, but our society as a whole.”  While Think Virtues espouses the virtues that originate in religious teachings, it is secular, says Motlagh.  “I engaged my sister and her foundations in teaching to develop secular a program that uses three proven learning theories:  repetition, observation and sharing.  By doing so, each faith can integrate specific religious teachings. Catholic parents and teachers have the unique and direct ability to instill and involve Catechist faith-based lessons found in liturgy, interpretation of scripture, sacraments and holy days.”

“Think Virtues was tested and chartered in each Catholic and Montessori schools in our own community and has evolved to be embraced by a diversity of educational and religious programs,” says Kathy. Teachers and parents both respond with great enthusiasm to the impact just a few moments a day has on enriching a classroom and inspiring virtuous behavior in children.

Think Virtues has experienced an outpouring of feedback from parents and teachers alike who are seeing happier, more patient, more tolerant children evolving with every day and every engagement or exercise with Think Virtues.  Teaching programs include Eutopia, vice and virtue teaching cards, and a robust subscription community of content and curriculum. Children of every age quickly become fans, and are excited to demonstrate and share messaging in everything from dialogue to wearing branded apparel that carries virtue messaging like courage, love, patience or kindness, and more.

“Children love to immerse themselves in both the fantasy of Eutopia and in practicing, sharing, recognizing and inspiring good behavior among their peers, in their home and in the community at large,” says Sara.  “Our program provides for the tested and proven teaching of virtues seamlessly incorporated with Catholic teachings inspired by Christ, and instilled in daily family, school and church life.”

“Think Virtues is the only character-building program that enriches daily life and cultivates virtues for a new standard of living today, and for generations to come,” says Kathy Motlagh.  “We embrace the Catholic faith as a part of our community to create change in our society and a true cultural revolution of kindness, integrity, and virtue-based good behavior among everyone.”

For more information on Think Virtues, and to subscribe or order Think Virtues books and teaching tools visit www.ThinkVirtues.com or contact Kathy Motlagh by email: kathy@thinkvirtues.com.