A simple game to introduce characterization to children is to have them play a game where one person has to guess a character based on the descriptions given by classmates. Write the name of a character students have been reading about in class on a sticky note. One student wears the sticky note on her forehead or back, so only other students can read it. The other students will call out character traits such as "smart" or "tall," and the student wearing the character tries to guess who it is. Introduce advanced character traits such as "jealous," "scrupulous" or "generous" to broaden their vocabulary.
Character sketches involve outlining or "sketching" the personality traits, appearance and circumstances of a character from a story. A character sketch does not tell the whole history of a character's life, but rather presents a snapshot of it. Provide students with a worksheet with questions about their character they can fill in, such as, "Where does your character live?" "What does your character look like?" "What are three adjectives that describe your character's personality?" and so on. Once they have answered all the questions, students describe their character in full sentences in one or two paragraphs. Students can also use this same activity to create their own character sketch for a story they will write.
In this activity, students learn to distinguish between "flat" (undeveloped, stereotypical) characters and "round" (developed, interesting, realistic) characters. Show the students pictures of stereotypical characters from fairy tales or animated kids' movies whose appearances reflect their personalities, for example villains, heroes and princesses. Students try to guess what the characters are like based on these pictures.
Prepare a unit or lesson focusing on princesses. Discuss what life would be like for princesses, make a list of advantages and disadvantages and ask students if they would like to be a princess. Then read stories and watch movies about princesses and discuss their characterization. Compare traditional and modern princess stories and movies and discuss similarities and differences.