| 40 Things You Can Do to Raise a Moral Child |
| About Us - Our Beliefs |
40 Things You Can Do to Raise a Moral Child FEELINGS. . . Emotions Are the Groundwork of Morality • Tune into your child’s feelings. • Comment on your own emotions. • Talk about how you think others may be feeling. • Read stories that are fanciful. • Sing to your children. REASON. . . Feelings Need to be Guided by Reason • Give reasons why you approve or disapprove of your child’s behavior. • Provide reasons for rules you want your child to follow. • Encourage your child to play with children of various ages. • Engage your children in reflective discussions by asking open-ended questions. • Promote independent thinking. SELF-ESTEEM. . . Self-Respect Is A Prerequisite to Acting Morally • Treat your child with respect. • Express interest in your child’s activities, projects and dreams. • Help set goals and encourage your children to see them through. • Praise a task well done. • Give your child emotional and verbal support to stand against the crowd when necessary. DISCIPLINE. . . Behavior Has Consequences • Be flexible –– not arbitral –– in your discipline. • Don’t use intimidation–– never use ridicule. • Severity of punishment should be related to the severity of the wrong doing. • Criticize in private. PREJUDICE. . . Treating All People Fairly Is Fundamental To Morality • Examine your own biases. • Provide examples that counteract society’s prejudices. • Don’t allow biased or bigoted comments to go unchallenged. • Give your child books that show different kinds of people playing, working and living together. • Talk about differences between people, but speak about them neutrally. VALUES. . . Some Values Are More Important Than Others • Tell your children who you admire and why. • Live your life as you want your children to lead theirs. • Show the importance of protecting the vulnerable. • Praise a task well done. • Give your child emotional and verbal support to stand against the crowd when necessary. HABITS. . . Morality is Learned Through Observing and Doing • Provide opportunities for your child to help others. • Give positive verbal feedback for being a good person. • Work with your child in community and volunteer service. • Expect and encourage good deeds from your children. • Help your children to keep promises. COMMUNITY. . . Morality Involves Other People • Talk about the TV shows, music and movies your child sees. • Get involved in your child’s education. • Make family meals an important and regular occasion. • Encourage activities that involve your child with others. • Take an interest in the world outside your home. |
