A Child’s behaviour builds the personality. It is important that the right kind of atmosphere is provided at home and school for the ‘wholistic ‘development of a child’s personality. Parents and teachers play a key role by helping cultivate certain key characteristics in children that stay with them for a lifetime.
Instilling a sense of gratitude in kids can seem like a difficult task. However, it need not be so. As a parent you can do a few simple things, on a consistent basis, that can help your child realize the meaning of being grateful.
The most basic and significant thing in a Child’s behaviour
The most basic and significant thing in a Child’s behaviour is Honesty. For most parents honesty is the quality that they want most in their children. You can start off by being the right role model. Stop sugarcoating some truths. Truth exists.
Sharing is one of the hardest things in a child’s behaviour to bring up. It is perhaps the most difficult thing to teach children. They tend to be possessive about their things, such as their toys, books, play things, etc. So how do you make them to share? One of the best ways is to make them play games that involve sharing. Board games are a good example.
Children learn about empathy by watching their parents. Their behavior is modeled on yours. For example, they will watch the way you treat a sales associate or a delivery boy.
Best ways to teach children about compassion
As parents one of the best ways to teach children about compassion is by actually showing good amounts of it, whenever a child is feeling a bit low. Receiving compassion is one very good way of getting to know about compassion.
Playing team games is one of the best ways to teach children about cooperation. A game of cricket or soccer will drive home the point of teamwork. Board games that require them to work together as a team are another great way to teach them about cooperation.
Encourage decisions made by your kids
Yes, of-course ! Encourage decisions made by your kids. For example, let them decide the menu if your relatives are coming for lunch. Let them offer suggestions whenever you are shopping. Whether you accept them or not, the key point is that you need to hear them out. These things make the child feel respected. Even if they do something wrong, treat your children politely. Screaming or shouting will set the wrong kind of example. Similarly, parents need to make sure that they are respecting others and being the right role models for their children.
Parents should set the right example by treating all their children equally at home. They should also be taught to follow the same principle. Let them be part of volunteer groups.
Participating in sports events helps children to learn about the concept of fair play. Sports teaches them to play by the rules and that whoever plays better deserves to win. Following rules at school helps them learn about justice at a young age.
Comic book or animation stories are a great way to teach kids at the primary level about the courage and valour of popular figures from history. They should be taught the value of honesty and the courage needed for being truthful, right from a young age.
Catch them young
Acceptance ‘Catch them young’ again, is the best way to start teaching young ones equality and diversity. Participating in games, sports and other team activities will help them understand that everyone has different talents which need to be respected. This will also teach them to realize that they too may not have certain talents and that it is perfectly alright. Kids should be taught to always treat others kindly, both in words and deeds.
Parents can model generosity at home. The way they treat the needy has a direct impact on their kids. Kids can be made part of charitable work. For example, they can help during a drive to distribute food to the poor. Give kids a pat on the back whenever you see them doing a generous act. Encourage children to share things like their toys, chocolates, cookies, with other kids during play.
Just like all good positive traits parents need to model responsibility. A simple act as washing your plates after meals has an impact on children. Kids also love to help. Depend on their age teach them things where they can lend a helping hand. Let them take on responsibility.
The best way to encourage
It is important in a child’s behaviour that we tell children that it is okay to fail. After all Rome was not built in a day. The best way to encourage perseverance is by starting small.
Let your kids prepare an activity chart, listing down the activities that they need to do in a day. Following a routine will help improve their levels of self-discipline. Just in case if your kid does something wrong, wait till the emotions cool down and then have a discussion with them. Similarly, never hesitate to praise any good behaviour. They will soon learn that good behaviour will be always rewarded. A simple “good job” or “well done” goes a long way in inculcating self-discipline in kids.
As a child centered CBSE school, we focus a lot on developing character building trait in children, something that helps lay a strong foundation for their successful future and become a responsible citizen.