As parents, we are often faced with the question of when to start teaching our children about values that they should imbibe in their lives. What is the correct age to start? A child’s brain is like a sponge. It will absorb everything that it senses. Children in their formative years look to their parents, observe the behavior that parents exhibit and try to copy them.
By the age of 5 children start seeing their parents as role models and also start differentiating between good and bad; and wrong and right. The best way to teach your children values is to set examples for them to follow. You need to spend quality time with your children if you want them to learn from you. Given below is a list of 5 important values that every child should learn and make a part of their lives.
Honesty
One of the biggest values that you can teach your child, honesty will stand them in good stead all their lives. The best way to teach your child, to be honest, is to be an honest person yourself. If the child finds you fibbing, he/she will understand that fibbing is acceptable. Carol Weisman from Board Builders (https://www.boardbuilders.com/) says that it’s important to instill good values in your children while they’re still young. You need to make your child understand that there are no distinctions between different types of lies.
However, remember not to overreact if your child lies. Rather than scare him/her with anger, make the child understand that you can be told the truth always, without being scared of the consequences. Praise the child for owning up to the lie and he/she will understand that although being honest may not always be easy, both the child and you feel better when the truth is spoken.
Determination
In our efforts to not discourage or hurt our children, we often praise them for doing something that is not praiseworthy. While that does go against the first value above, it also makes the child complacent about being mediocre. While it is important to praise their efforts, it is also important to give honest feedback along with encouragement to do better. Encourage your children to do things that are difficult for them and congratulate them when they manage it. It will help them build their determination to succeed.
Justice
While making a child apologize for a mistake is good, you need to encourage the child to take some action to correct what was done wrong. To understand justice, a child needs to understand that a mere apology is not enough to let him/her off the hook. Making amends in ways that require action and not just mere words, will help the child internalize the importance of justice.
Bottom Line
Set examples for the children to follow, communicate with them and listen to them. This will help the children learn from you and ensure that the bond between you and your children remains strong.
By the age of 5 children start seeing their parents as role models and also start differentiating between good and bad; and wrong and right. The best way to teach your children values is to set examples for them to follow. You need to spend quality time with your children if you want them to learn from you. Given below is a list of 5 important values that every child should learn and make a part of their lives.
Honesty
One of the biggest values that you can teach your child, honesty will stand them in good stead all their lives. The best way to teach your child, to be honest, is to be an honest person yourself. If the child finds you fibbing, he/she will understand that fibbing is acceptable. Carol Weisman from Board Builders (https://www.boardbuilders.com/) says that it’s important to instill good values in your children while they’re still young. You need to make your child understand that there are no distinctions between different types of lies.
However, remember not to overreact if your child lies. Rather than scare him/her with anger, make the child understand that you can be told the truth always, without being scared of the consequences. Praise the child for owning up to the lie and he/she will understand that although being honest may not always be easy, both the child and you feel better when the truth is spoken.
In our efforts to not discourage or hurt our children, we often praise them for doing something that is not praiseworthy. While that does go against the first value above, it also makes the child complacent about being mediocre. While it is important to praise their efforts, it is also important to give honest feedback along with encouragement to do better. Encourage your children to do things that are difficult for them and congratulate them when they manage it. It will help them build their determination to succeed.
Justice
While making a child apologize for a mistake is good, you need to encourage the child to take some action to correct what was done wrong. To understand justice, a child needs to understand that a mere apology is not enough to let him/her off the hook. Making amends in ways that require action and not just mere words, will help the child internalize the importance of justice.
Bottom Line
Set examples for the children to follow, communicate with them and listen to them. This will help the children learn from you and ensure that the bond between you and your children remains strong.
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