Why Heroes Matter in a Child's Development
We understand that the heroes children admire play a crucial role in forming their values, aspirations, and character. As children grow, they naturally look for role models to emulate, and these relationships—even those formed through historical study or literature—can profoundly shape who they become.
The Developmental Psychology of Heroes
Research shows that heroes serve essential developmental functions in children's lives. According to developmental psychologists, children's choice of heroes follows a predictable pattern throughout their growth. Young children often choose parents or teachers as their first heroes because these immediate caregivers hold the greatest moral authority in their lives during early development, when children view their parents and immediate caregivers as their primary role models and heroes (From Spiderman to Mom: How Kids Choose Heroes: Family Education).
As children grow older and begin to question their parents' influence, they often turn to peers or celebrities as heroes—frequently someone close to their own age who has achieved significant recognition. By the teenage years, adolescents typically admire people who demonstrate independent thinking and principled action. In adulthood, many people develop a renewed appreciation for family heroes who sacrificed to help them succeed.
This natural progression highlights the importance of guiding children toward worthy heroes who exemplify the values we hope they'll embrace.
How Heroes Shape Character and Worldview
Heroes do far more than simply entertain or inspire—they shape how children understand virtue, courage, and purpose. Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell, a developmental psychologist, explains that heroic stories follow a common pattern where a likeable hero encounters challenges and, with help from others, emerges transformed by their experiences (The Role of Heroes for Children - Roots of Action). This narrative pattern helps children understand how to overcome their own obstacles and develop resilience.
When children study the lives of historical heroes, they gain far more than knowledge of dates and events. They absorb lessons about:
- Perseverance through difficulty
- Moral courage in the face of opposition
- Purpose and meaning beyond self-interest
- The reality that greatness often emerges from struggle
- The impact one principled person can have on the world
These lessons become internalized as children connect emotionally with the heroes they admire. The right heroes can inspire children to develop what researchers call "prosocial" attitudes—empathy, altruism, and civic responsibility.
The Noah Webster Approach to Heroes
At Noah Webster Academy, we recognize what the American Heritage Association blog noted—that heroic figures plant in students' "hearts and minds: Standards of resolution, Allegiance to principle, country and friend, A strengthening of conscience." (Does Your Child have a Hero?).
This understanding forms the foundation of our approach to education.
We deliberately introduce students to heroes worthy of their admiration through:
- Historical Study Through Primary Sources: Students engage directly with the writings and speeches of America's Founding Fathers and other historical figures, helping them form authentic connections with these heroic individuals.
- Character-Based Literature: Our literature selections feature protagonists who demonstrate virtue, courage, and principled action, providing models for students to emulate.
- Biography Projects: Students research and present on historical figures who demonstrated exceptional character, connecting deeply with their chosen subjects.
- Community Heroes Program: We regularly invite local heroes—veterans, first responders, community leaders, and others—to share their experiences and wisdom with our students.
This comprehensive approach ensures students encounter heroes who embody the virtues we hope to cultivate—courage, integrity, perseverance, wisdom, and service to others.
The Contrast: Heroes vs. Celebrities
One of the most important distinctions we help students understand is the difference between celebrities and true heroes. In contemporary culture, the line between fame and heroism is often blurred, with celebrity status sometimes mistaken for heroic achievement.
True heroes, however, are distinguished not by fame or talent, but by character and contribution. While celebrities may achieve recognition through skill, appearance, or entertainment value, heroes earn admiration through courage, sacrifice, and principled action that benefits others.
Research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that when children have family members as heroes rather than celebrities, they tend to engage in safer behaviors and make better choices. The study noted that "engaging in risky behaviors during adolescence is associated with less favorable outcomes in young adulthood relating to health, economic success, family formation, and incarceration" (The Impact of Role Models, Mentors, and Heroes on Academic and Social Outcomes in Adolescents - PMC: Frontiers in Psychology).
At Noah Webster Academy, we help students develop critical thinking skills to distinguish between fleeting fame and lasting heroism, guiding them toward role models who will inspire their best selves.
Read our blog, What Advice Would Our Founding Fathers Give, If They Were Here Today, for more.
Practical Ways to Nurture Heroic Influences at Home
Parents play a crucial role in guiding children toward worthy heroes. Here are practical strategies families can implement:
- Share Your Own Heroes: Talk with your children about the people you admire and why. Personal connections make heroic stories more meaningful.
- Read Biographies Together: Select age-appropriate biographies of historical figures, inventors, explorers, and other achievers whose lives exemplify virtues you value.
- Discuss Heroes in Current Events: Point out examples of courage, sacrifice, and integrity in today's world, showing children that heroism is not just historical.
- Visit Historical Sites: When possible, visit places connected to historical heroes to make their stories more tangible.
- Watch Documentaries: Choose documentaries about inspiring individuals rather than solely fictional entertainment.
- Connect with Community Heroes: Introduce your children to local heroes—veterans, teachers, healthcare workers, and others who serve your community.
- Discuss the Complexity of Heroes: As children mature, help them understand that real heroes are human, with flaws and struggles that they worked to overcome.
By intentionally introducing children to worthy heroes, parents can profoundly influence their moral development and aspirations.
The Lifelong Impact of Childhood Heroes
The influence of childhood heroes often extends well into adulthood. Many successful individuals can trace significant life choices and values back to the heroes they admired in their formative years.
As noted by Character Concepts Blog, heroes serve as "hope-givers" who inspire children to believe in their own potential: "when kids read how Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver rose from slave childhoods to become world changers, it ignites a flame of hope that they too, can one day be world changers as well." (Why Your Children Need Heroes - Character Concepts Blog).
At Noah Webster Academy, we've seen this principle in action as students connect with historical and literary heroes who inspire them to set high aspirations for their own lives. Many students have shared how learning about figures like George Washington, Booker T. Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and others has motivated them to develop specific virtues and pursue meaningful goals.
The right heroes don't just inspire admiration—they call children to their best selves, challenging them to live up to the examples set before them.
The Biblical Foundation for Heroic Emulation
From a biblical perspective, the concept of emulating heroes has deep roots. The Apostle Paul frequently encouraged believers to follow his example as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Hebrews 11, often called the "Faith Hall of Fame," recounts the stories of biblical heroes specifically to inspire emulation of their faith.
At Noah Webster Academy, our Christian foundation guides our understanding of heroism. We recognize that all human heroes are imperfect, but many demonstrate virtues worthy of emulation. We help students understand that the greatest heroes point beyond themselves to timeless truths and virtues.
By studying biblical heroes alongside historical figures, students gain a more complete understanding of true heroism—one that recognizes both human achievement and divine providence.
FAQ: Heroes and Child Development
How do I help my child choose appropriate heroes?
Start by discussing what makes someone truly heroic—character, courage, service to others—rather than just fame or success. Introduce your child to a variety of potential heroes through books, documentaries, and conversations. Pay attention to your child's interests and find heroes who exemplify excellence in those areas while also demonstrating strong character.
What if my child's hero disappoints or fails?
This provides a valuable opportunity to discuss that all heroes are human and therefore imperfect. Help your child understand that we can learn from someone's strengths without having to embrace their weaknesses. These conversations develop critical thinking and nuanced understanding of character.
How can I tell if my child's hero is having a positive influence?
Watch for changes in your child's behavior, language, and aspirations. Positive hero influence often manifests as increased perseverance, empathy for others, or interest in serving in some way. If you notice concerning changes, engage your child in conversations about what they admire in their hero and why.
Should I be my child's hero?
Parents are naturally their young children's first heroes, and this is appropriate. However, it's also important to help children develop a wider circle of heroic influences. Share your own heroes with your child, modeling how to learn from others while maintaining your own values and judgment.
How do historical heroes remain relevant to today's children?
While circumstances change, human nature and core virtues remain constant across time. Courage, integrity, perseverance, and compassion are timeless qualities. When children connect with the human stories behind historical achievements—the struggles, doubts, failures, and triumphs—these figures become relatable despite historical distance.
Conclusion: Cultivating a Heroic Legacy
The heroes our children admire today will help shape who they become tomorrow. By thoughtfully guiding them toward worthy models of character, courage, and contribution, we equip them to develop their own heroic qualities.
At Noah Webster Academy, we believe that one of the most valuable gifts we can offer students is introduction to heroes whose lives demonstrate the virtues we hope to cultivate—both historical figures whose legacy continues to inspire, and contemporary individuals who show that heroism remains possible and necessary in today's world.
As the American Heritage Association blog powerfully states, the most influential heroes in history "were not the best and the brightest. They were the wisest and bravest." (Does Your Child have a Hero?) By connecting students with such heroes, we help them aspire not just to success, but to significance—not just to achievement, but to virtue.
We invite you to join us in this vital aspect of education and parenting. Together, we can inspire the next generation to find worthy heroes and, in time, to become heroes worth emulating themselves.