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Good character can not only be taught but can also be
caught, and it is up to parents to ensure that this is done as early as
possible. This can best be done by setting personal examples and
teaching them what is right and wrong ,what is good and what is bad.
Works of literature and stories are treasure houses which unlock virtues
that imbibe themselves without any effort being made. |
Biographies of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Mahatma
Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are some examples
of writings which can have a great impact. They teach responsibility,
courage, honesty, persistence, faith and best of all lead the reader on
to the path of goodness and virtue. When children are very young,
stories from history can be read to them, and as they get older, allow
and encourage them to read for themselves.
Helping children develop good character and virtues begins at home and
it is absolutely important to model good character by doing the right
things, deciding what core virtues you want to inculcate and watching
one’s own behavior. You have to begin somewhere, so start with yourself.
You will be surprised how quickly the message is sent.
Be clear about your labeling of virtues and
internalize them in the child by incorporating your beliefs in your
daily life. Remember it is these virtues which are going to enhance and
improve the lives of everyone around you. Teach them not only to be
honest and patient but also teach them never to quit, teach them to be
loyal and just, inculcate the qualities of impartiality and humility,
and teach them to be prudent and agreeable.
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Respect within the family sends the right message to the child, for by
experiencing respect the child learns to respect others. It is just a
case of sowing the correct seeds to reap the right plants.
Good manners,
simple courtesy when practiced consistently lays the foundation for
consideration and thoughtfulness. All these factors contribute to the
development of good character. |
The three very important C’s of character building are being consistent,
being concrete, and being creative. The messages that a parent sends out
must be loud and clear and very categoric. A child will judge the parent
not by what he or she says but by what he or she does and what they
permit the child to do,. Being trustworthy, earning respect, being
responsible and just, being compassionate and considerate are the
pillars of good character. The lessons that last are the ones that call
for tough choices when doing the right thing is extremely hard. Talking
about character and helping children to develop it is not like learning
a geography lesson.
Everything said and done must be relevant to the daily
life of the child and must preferably deal with situations in which the
child has been in. Any attempt to develop character must be realistic
and must be associated with real life situations. Teach a child to be
responsible by assigning tasks and ensuring that they are done. There
are moments in everyday life that can be used to impart lessons about
empathy, kindness and compassion. Capatilize on these moments for the
impact is much greater than in an ordinary moment.
The youth of today is consumer driven and it requires a strong character
not to deviate from the well trodden path. It is essential to drive home
to the child the real meaning of success and happiness and the
triviality of material rewards. Limit the amount of pocket money so that
they develop the strength not to yield to temptation and also not to
spend money uselessly. Without being miserly, the child should be taught
the art of managing money. There is no period like youth to impart these
lessons as they help to build a strong character. Holding a child
accountable for his actions makes him more responsible. Encourage
positive thinking and a positive attitude for everything. Such
channeling will help in developing the correct frame of mind and a
correct approach.
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Never make excuses for your child because when you protect them from the
consequences that ensue from bad behavior, you as a parent fail to teach
them personal responsibility. Monitor the friends of the child, be in
touch with them to find out what sort of persons they are, emphasizing
indirectly
without accusing anybody that at all times a vice is a vice. Developing
character and virtues is an every day affair, a lifelong experience that
begins with birth. Sometimes it is painful to see a child suffering but
it is this pain which is at the root of character growth.
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Helping your child to develop a good character and good virtues
comprises of morality in feeling, knowing and acting. Virtues are
qualities that affirm the goodness of a person and are inherent in human
beings. Values may change according to the periods of time. But virtues
like justice and courage remain untouched. It should be impressed upon
the child that virtues are necessary for internal peace and happiness
and will help him survive the onslaughts of society as he becomes an
adult.
All said and done, helping a child to develop good character and virtues
is a huge responsibility and it takes all the patience and time in the
world to do a good job.
More on
Character education
~ Data 2007.
::
Authored by M. Swami.
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