It’s important for parents to explore various moral values with their child from a young age, so that they understand the difference between right and wrong and grow up to be a good, kind individual. We all have our own set of values, perhaps passed down from our own parents or developed throughout life, and you’re probably naturally teaching them to your own child without even realising it. However, if you want to take it one step further, here are a few important moral values to explore with your child, as discussed by an independent school in the West Midlands.
Kindness
Teach your child that if they are kind to others, others will be kind back. Kindness comes in many shapes and sizes, such as helpfulness, compassion, sharing, giving etc. When you see them being kind, let them know that you are pleased with their behaviour so that they are more inclined to be kind going forward.
Gratitude
Exploring gratitude with your child is a great place to start because it will help them appreciate what they have, prevent them from negatively comparing themselves to others and approach life with a more optimistic attitude. Each evening, ask your child what they are grateful for that day, even if its something as simple as someone giving them a lift to school. By counting their blessings, your child will be able to empathise with those less fortunate than them and help those people where they can.
Listening
Your child needs to know that listening is just as important as speaking when having a conversation. By hearing what other people have to say, your child will learn new things and perhaps develop a new perspective. It will give them the opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level and perhaps relate to them in ways they didn’t think possible. Teach your child that it’s disrespectful to interrupt people while they’re talking.
Honesty
Teach your child that lying is wrong. If you catch them out in a lie, let them know that you are disappointed in them and praise them when they tell you the truth. For instance, if they break a vase and own up to it, tell them that you a proud of them for being honest. However, there are times when a little fib is important, for the sake of politeness or to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Therefore, you will need to teach them how to be tactful.
Perseverance
Try and help your child continue trying, even when something seems tough. We all face many challenges throughout our lives, so your child needs to know that perseverance and patience is key.