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Step 1
Talk to your children about the value of honesty and trust. Explain to the child that people who lie are not trusted, and people who can't be trusted aren't liked. Teach by example and hold everyone in the family to being honest. If you insist on honesty for the whole family, a child will learn its value at a young age.
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Step 2
Explain to your child what integrity is and how it affects his everyday life. Explain that integrity means people can believe you when you say something. In other words, the old fashioned value of "your word is your bond" is still an important value.
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Step 3
Supervise playtime when your child plays with other children. Teach the child to share toys and the value of fair play. Teaching children about playing fair helps them become fair adults.
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Step 4
Teach your child how to be a good friend to others. Explain to your child the difference between a true friend and acquaintances. By teaching your child how to be a good friend, you are teaching him about loyalty and respect.
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Step 5
Instill empathy and compassion for others. Teach a child how to put himself in another's position, to be able to feel what the other person feels. An example would be to ask, "how would you feel if someone called you a name?" to teach a child empathy. To teach a child compassion, you could say, "oh my, I bet her arm really hurts." If you have compassion and empathy, a child will learn by your example.
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Step 6
Watch a movie or TV show with your children. As the movie shows objectionable behavior or language, discuss it with the child. Teach the child why it's objectionable to you and others. If the movie shows scantily clad people, explain to the child why that type of behavior is unacceptable. When you watch a TV show or movie with children, always explain unacceptable behavior and provide reasons.
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Step 7
Hold your child responsible if she has done something wrong. Explain to the child what he's done wrong, and why it was wrong. Teach her that actions have consequences. This is a valuable lesson for everyone, and helps a child think beyond the moment to what the consequences are.
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Step 8
Teach your child about sex and drugs, and why you don't want him to be involved in either. Explain what drugs do to a person, how that person can not only become "hooked" on drugs, but get sick as well. Teach your child to value her body and it's good health. Teach your child that casual sex is never OK, and sex is for married couples. Talk openly about sexually transmitted diseases. Teach your children to value both their mind and their body.
Comments
CrazyAce said
on 3/21/2008 You must already have your own Values to be able to do this.