A certain educator was once asked at what point should a parent begin to prepare for child raising.
"How old are you?" the educator inquired.
"Twenty-three."
"You should begin twenty-three years ago."
What is the message? The single most important thing a parent can do to educate a child is to provide the child with a good role model. A parent has to work a whole lifetime becoming the type of person that he wants his child to become.
The most important people in the world in the child's eyes are his parents. They are his first and most important teachers. The behavior of a child's parents leaves a permanent impression in the child's subconscious mind. Why is this so? The reason is that the most reliable source of priorities and values in a child's eyes is his parents. Children have an innate trust in their parents. They feel that everything their parents say and do is the true and proper way to behave.
We all wish our children would do what we say and not what we do. However, this is not how the mind of a child works. The intellect of a child is undeveloped. As a result, children function an emotional level, absorbing more from what they see and hear around them than from what they are taught.
What is the take home message? The main thing for you to realize is that you have far more influence on your child than you probably realize. Your child is going to pattern himself after you. That is how nature set it up. Your job as a parent is to be the best role model that you can be. True, it is hard, but that is the way it is.
The following is a story I heard recently that brings out the extent to which your child learns from your actions.
A certain kindergarten teacher once warned a group of parents to be careful how they behave in front of their children.
"By the way your children play in school," she said. "I know which of you treat each other respectfully. I know which of you use foul language at home. I know everything about how you behave in your home by the way your child plays, talks, and behaves."
Remember, you might think that everything that goes on in your home behind closed doors is hidden from the world, but it is not. Your child sees everything. Your child is going to take your behavior and broadcast it to the world. Make sure that what he is transmitting is something that you want the world to see.
About The Author
Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online programs dealing with ADHD (addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html) treatment, ODD, parenting issues (addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html), and education. You may visit his website at addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html. To sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal send a blank email to: addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html
addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html
rental limo Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareRecently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
Looking back through my files I've come across several great... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
When is a person brilliant? When does a person show... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
Here's the scene of communication with your child: your three-year-old... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
taxi from O'Hare Portage ..My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
Did you know there's a game children and parents play... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
One of the implications of the current trend toward smaller... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
Parenting |