Courage and the ability to respond heroically do not suddenly appear in youth or adults. These qualities are built in small step-by-step increments. Courage is persevering despite fear. It is gumption, grit, and the capacity to get up after a setback, with one's heart on fire. Courage finds its roots in two fundamental skills learned during early childhood: persevering despite adversity and remaining mindful despite fear. Courage developed during the early years may gradually evolve into the capacity for heroism. Heroism is "courage elevated by a noble purpose." Unlike courage, true heroism does not occur until about the age of eight or nine when children can understand risks and alternatives, and make a deliberate choice to face risk on behalf of another. Heroism finds its roots in two fundamental skills learned during the early years: caring about themselves and others and responding compassionately to suffering. This article discusses these four fundamental skills which form a foundation upon which children can build the formation of principles of justice, the development of risk-assessment abilities, and the learning of lifesaving skills.