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'Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for
Raising Successful Children'
How do you teach moral values?
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[DEC.
31, 2004]
Q: Everyone is talking
about moral values these days, it seems. How do I teach my daughter
good values without always lecturing her? |
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A:
"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders,"
said James Baldwin. "But they have never failed to imitate them."
You are the model for your child's character. Each action you
take represents your values and teaches a powerful lesson to your
daughter about the kind of person she should be.
Here are
ways you can model some basic values for your daughter:
Use the
holiday season to get into the spirit of giving and away
from the concept of getting. Together with your daughter,
sort through toys and clothes she has outgrown and give them to a
children's hospital or homeless shelter. Make it an annual family
tradition.
Show
respect. When you treat
your child and others with love and respect, you are teaching her
how she should treat others. Use kind words and a pleasant tone
when you speak to her. Make it clear that you expect the same in
return.
Teach
honesty. When you leave a
note after bumping another car in a parking lot, you are teaching
your daughter that honesty is important even when no one is
looking. If you get undercharged in a store, let the store clerk
know. And be quick to praise your daughter when she
displays honesty.
Practice
perseverance. Teach her
that it's OK to make mistakes. Very few things always go right the
first time. But they often go right after lots of practice. Don't
be too quick to take over when your daughter struggles with
homework or a difficult task. Let her learn that she can succeed
on her own by sticking with the task. Make sure she sees not only
the finished performance, but also the hard work and discipline
that made it possible.
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this article] |
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Show
care for the community.
Spend time helping out at a soup kitchen. The holiday season is
again a great time to start this type of project. You'll teach
care and concern for others.
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Tell
family stories. Take time
during the holidays to look at old photographs and share stories.
This is a great way to teach your daughter about her background
and to pass on the important values you want to share. Don't turn
your stories into lectures, though. If the story has a moral
lesson, your daughter will probably pick up on it.
You sound like a caring parent.
Identify the values that are important to you. If you give your
daughter regular opportunities to make "the right choice" and you
praise her efforts, your values will carry the day.
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For more information about helping
children learn or to submit your own question to The Learning
Advisor, go to
http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive
a prompt answer by e-mail.
© Copyright 2004, The Parent
Institute.
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