"To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." -Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President
Teddy Roosevelt hit the mark with his words. To educate a child in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and not about living is to raise a menace to society.
How do we as parents, teachers, and mentors help children build character? Below you will notice the five character-building goals to instill in your children. Using questions as practical tools is an easy and excellent way to promote those goals and build character too.
Imagine that a boy named Harold recently moved into your neighborhood. He constantly causes trouble. The school principal just sent him home with a note addressed to his parents about his acting out in class. You and your child discuss Harold's problems. You center your discussion on the five key goals listed below. To instill each goal, ask your child the following practical questions:
Goal 1:
Empathy-Being aware of and caring about others' feelings.
Question: If you were Harold, how would you feel?
Goal 2:
Role Taking-Putting oneself into another's shoes and understanding where they are coming from.
Question:
What do you think Harold wanted by acting out in class?
Goal 3:
Social Awareness-Being aware of other's opinions, their needs, their likes, and dislikes.
Question:
If you were a classmate of Harold's, what might you think of Harold?
Goal 4:
Self-Reflection-Examining our own thoughts,feelings,and, behaviors.
Question: Have you ever misbehaved in class? How did you feel about yourself?
Goal 5:
Internalizing Good Advice-Taking to heart the advice your child gives to others and following it when he or she needs it.
Question:
If you were giving good advice to Harold, what would you tell him?
Congratulations! By asking the above questions, you have just strengthened your child's character because you have awakened your child's thoughtful mind and caring heart.
We've examined what goals to instill and what questions to ask. Let's learn where to build character by asking the above questions in the following situations:
Problem characters on TV
Problems on the school bus
Problems in the classroom
Problems in the neighborhood
Problems at home
Problems in discussion stories
Now, it's time to take action. If you're like most busy parents just remember the questions and ask them often. Get your children to think and to feel wisely. By using these tools now and you will be building character in your child and a better society for us all.
About the Author:
Jean Tracy, MSS
Edmonds, WA.
Learn powerful parenting concepts that you can use right now! Informative articles written by this seasoned therapist brings you the tips and tools you must use to raise your awesome kids with solid characters. Sign up for this FREE Parenting Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Character Builders, and download FREE bonding activities when you subscribe at: http://www.kidsdiscuss.com
You are welcome to reproduce this article when you include the above information about the author. Forward it to your friends too.
quick home cleaning Glenview ..In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
In the wonderment of childhood, it is easier for a... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
Mother's Day is important for children.This Mother's Day take note... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for,"... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Each child carries a unique picture of the self, shaped... Read More
There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
I've learned numerous, important lessons on life, motherhood and men... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
Parenting |