TOP TEN WAYS TO TEACH VALUES TO YOUR KIDS by Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC,
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values that
don't reflect what you believe, how can you teach values to
your kids? Here are ten ideas to help you:
1. Tell them your life stories and teach through your
stories
Kids love to hear stories about your childhood. Weave in
some moral dilemmas and you've got great opportunities to
teach values to them. It certainly beats lecturing your
kids!
2. Live your own life according to your values-walk the talk.
Kids learn by imitating, especially at a young age. They
are very adept at seeing if what you say and what you do are
matching up. Don't give them confusing signals; follow your
own values every moment.
3. Expose them to your religion or faith
It seems especially important today to let them know that
they're not alone. Providing your kids with a community of
faith will strengthen their values and provide parents some
"leverage"
4. Pay attention to who else might be teaching values
to your kids
Get to know your child's teachers, coaches, relatives, etc.
Anyone who spends time with your kids may be influencing
them. Know their values and beliefs as well.
5. Ask your kids questions that will stimulate dialogue
about values
Telling them what values they should have won't always be
effective, especially when your kids get older. Asking them
"curious" questions will allow discussions that will
eventually lead to values. "What did you think about that
fight," may be more effective than, "He shouldn't have
started that fight!"
6. Talk to them about values in a relaxed and easy way
Nothing will turn your kids off more than preaching values
to them after they've screwed up! Talk to them when
everyone's relaxed, and do it in a light, conversational
manner. They'll be much more likely to be listening rather
than tuning you out.
7. Read them fairy tales when they're younger
Fairy tales capture the imagination of kids and can easily
lead to a discussion of values. Kids will learn the most
concerning values when they're excited about the topic.
8. Involve your kids in art, activities, or helping others
while limiting TV and video games
Kids learn values when they experience them. Allow them to
experience helping others and involve them in activities
that will expand their creativity.
9. Have frequent conversations about values in your
household
This lets your kids know that it's important and it's not
just something you talk about when they do something wrong.
10. Have high expectations for your kids' value systems
Kids will tend to rise to the level of expectation you have
for them. Their value system will often reflect yours if
the expectations are high.
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Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, is the author of 25
Secrets of Emotionally Intelligent Fathers
http://www.markbrandenburg.com/father.htm" target="www.markbrandenburg.com/father.htm">http://www.markbrandenburg.com/father.htm
Sgn up for his FREE bi-weekly newsletter, Dads,
Don't Fix Your Kids, at
http://www.markbrandenburg.com
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