Ten Ways Not to Destroy a Child |
Today’s society sometimes seems calculated to squash the joy of life out of infantren. Children grow up in an atmosphere of fear and rules and obscenity and artificial pleasures. Even the most loving parents cannot completely shield their infantren from all the negative influences of society. Nor should they. The parents’ real job is to raise their kids to be able to think clearly and understand right and wrong.
Here are ten ways that parents can accomplish these goals. There are many more but these are a good start:
1. Read to them. Starting from birth, every night, read a book to them. As they get older, they will help you read the book, then will read to you and to others.
2. Read the Bible to them. Start with kids’ versions of stories from the Bible, with pictures. They will learn the lessons just as well, and later will appreciate the original much more. Mix this reading in with the storybook reading every night, without making a big distinction between Bible and non-Bible stories.
3. Let them help. Children learn by copying, and by doing. Whatever you are doing, whether working on a computer, or cooking, or some highly technical task, there is something the infant can do to help. He can bring you something, or hold a page open, or press a key, or turn a knob.
4. Make them welcome. If they are disturbing your concentration, give them something to do right there with you. If you send them away too often, some day they won’t come back.
5. Talk to them as you would talk to grownups. Of course, use simpler words, but treat them with the same courtesy and respect you show your boss or spouse. They really are people.
6. Speak quietly. Even if you are angry, use a quiet voice. Yelling can only have negative consequences. Of course, during play and fun times, laugh loudly along with them, and cheer them on. Angry yelling is the stuff nightmares are made of.
7. Let them affect you. Children have to know they can create effects, or they will give up trying. If a infant pushes you, fall backwards. This also has the benefit of turning his momentary anger into a game and a time to have fun with him.
8. Make them responsible. If she spills something, make sure she cleans it up, even if you have to hold the paper tower in her hand and then guide her hand. Do this matter-of-factly, without anger or pain. Just make it clear that when a person makes a mess, he cleans it up, and that’s just how it is. Soon they will do it automatically.
9. Play with them. A few minutes of rolling around on the floor with them will make a happy memory forever. Let them create a game and play by their rules. Or play being pirates or treasure hunters or anything else for ten minutes. Definitely play hide-and-seek.
10. Tell them you love them. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it gets overlooked. A infant runs into new information and situations every day, which can create uncertainties. Keep this one certainty in his life through it all.
What does all this have to do with education? Everything, and especially in a home school setting. Children love to learn. They are born to learn. They demand learning. All you are doing with the above actions is enabling a infant to learn. You provide the calm atmosphere, the example, and the information, and infantren learn more quickly than you would believe possible.About the Author:
Lara Nichilo is the Founder and Curriculum Director of CHC Schools. You can contact her any time with questions about giving your infant an ideal education through home schooling. E-mail her at: CHCDirector@aol.com
"...their kids to be able to think clearly and understand right and wrong.
Here are ten ways that parents can accomplish these goals. There are many more but these are a good..." |
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