We all want to see our little ones flourish and become the very best possible versions of themselves, equipped with the right knowledge and ideas to tackle the big wide world around them. The chances are that your own life experiences have formed part of your parenting style, and that’s a great way to think. Teaching your children important life lessons is part of your job - and nowadays, there are more ways than ever to teach those lessons. Below, we have rounded up some attributes and traits we think all young people should be exposed to, and share our recommendations on how to give your children the education they deserve…
The joys of learning
Perhaps one of the most important life lessons you can teach your children is that they should never stop learning. Being inquisitive and interested in the world around them is one of the best ways to help them become interesting, well-rounded human beings, and in today’s era of social media where young people spend more time on their phones than ever before, equipping your children with a passion for learning and exploring will do wonders for them. We recommend creating opportunities that allow your children to learn and explore - from travel and adventures to reading and immersing them in different stories and cultures.
Teaching children to love learning is about much more than performing well at school. It will give them more confidence, boost their self-esteem, and ensure they live rich, fulfilling lives.
Respect
Another life lesson we thought we’d mention in today’s piece is respect. Respecting other people, respecting rules, respecting the environment, and respecting themselves. You’re never too young to develop empathy and respect for other people, and as a parent, you have a duty to raise decent, respectful children. There are lots of ways that you can do it. It’s important to start by respecting your children - after all, they learn from example. Value their ideas and choices, give them a voice in decision making, and listen to what they have to say.
You should always speak politely, not only to your children but to other people, and try to resolve any conflicts thoughtfully and sensitively, whether it’s a disagreement over buying a new toy or a conversation between you and your partner over the dinner table. And don’t be afraid to call your kids out if you think they’re not being respectful - it’s the best way to learn.
Playing fair
It’s virtually impossible to get through your early years without playing games, whether it’s a game of hopscotch in the playground or a board game after school. As a parent, it’s good to teach your child how to play fair and be a good loser - after all, life will present a number of disappointing and uncomfortable situations that must be dealt with. Helping your child learn to accept and deal with failure will make them a good sport and lose gracefully. Sport is a great way to broach the subject of winning or losing - kids who play sports tend to be better equipped to deal with failures. Watching videos for toddlers like Everything’s Rosie also allows children to learn through characters - knowing they’re not the only ones who lose a game of bowling will help them understand winning and losing is for everyone, not just them.
Good manners
Manners are about much more than please and thank you, but that’s a good place to start. You should instil good manners in your children as early as you can, as it can help you to shape your children into caring and compassionate people that are respected by others. It’s also important to think about your own manners when speaking to your children and those around you: children learn by observing their parents’ actions, so be polite, whether you’re talking to the greengrocer or the dog. Use praise, role-play difficult situations, and provide explanations that help your children make sense of cultural norms. For example, “We really don’t want to see what you’re eating. Close your mouth when you’re chewing, please!”
Honesty
Finally, a quick word on honesty. We all want to raise honest, decent children. One of the best ways to explain and teach honesty to your children is to monitor their behaviour (and your own). As we’ve already touched upon, keeping your own attitude and actions in check is essential - if your little ones notice you making white lies to friends or relatives, they might think it’s also okay to be dishonest. If you discover that your child is lying, don’t overreact: instead, explain why lying is bad, and encourage them to own up to their wrongdoings.
We recommend rewarding truths, giving consequences (however small, such as taking an iPad off them), correcting mistakes, and always trying to follow through on your promises.
There are lots of ways you can teach important life lessons to your children - one is to play kids cartoons like Everything's Rosie, which helps little ones play games, solve problems and find out more about the wonderful world around them. Check back soon for more.
Kommentare