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Step 1
Lead by example. Your child will learn his values in life by observing you. Your child may not be able to describe what value he is learning, but he is learning from you everyday.
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Step 2
Have integrity. Mean what you say and say what you mean. Stand by your word. Keep your promises. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Always explain your thoughts and actions about integrity to your child. Explain that taking responsibility for your actions means you have integrity and you are being "true" to yourself when taking responsibility.
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Step 3
Be honest. Teach your child the value of honesty. Tell them about trusting other people and other people trusting you. Explain to your child that liars are not to be trusted, nor are they to be believed. Teach your child to be honest at all times, even if they get in trouble for it. Give them some examples from when you were a child to help them understand honesty.
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Step 4
Discourage being a "fair weather friend" by teaching loyalty. Teach your child to defend his friends when it is the right thing to do. Teach your child the difference between "blind loyalty" and "loyalty", that blind loyalty is never right.
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Step 5
Encourage respect. Encourage your child to respect others and their differences. Teach your child to show respect to others by having good manners. Teach your child who a hero should be and tell them why.
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Step 6
Teach fairness to your child. Teaching fairness instills in your child the value of right and wrong. Give your child examples of being fair and not being fair, such as allowing someone to get in line in front of others. Or teach your child about grading every kid in the class the same way to be fair. When your child understands fairness, he will always practice being fair.
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Step 7
Encourage empathy to others. Help your child understand the feelings of others and be concerned for them. Teach your child to stand up for others less fortunate than he is, when it is appropriate. Empathy strengthens character.
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Step 8
Practice self-control. Teach your child that self-control is important for his own growth and maturity. Placing other peoples needs ahead of your own is not only self-control, it is altruistic. It is unselfish and the mark of maturity.
