Teaching Kindness and Respect - Redux
I don’t know about anyone else, but I am discouraged and dismayed by all
the negative and offensive behaviors being displayed today. From the nightly
news giving air time to those who have nothing positive to say, to social media
where many feel it is acceptable to post negative personal attacks on someone
they do not even know personally.
With this in mind, I felt this message needed to be repeated. It’s time
for all of us to stand up and send out positive messages. Eventually it just
might take over the negative if we are lucky……….
Children are born with no
preconceived notions about life or people. The only thing they know is the need
for love, nourishment and warmth. If given all of these things they will
flourish physically and emotionally. Everything else, we as parents/adults in
their lives, will teach them.
From the time they come into the world children are like little sponges just waiting to absorb everything they see and hear. It is our responsibility to ensure they are learning the right things.
It is evident if you look at society and its behaviors today, that somewhere along the way we have not put the emphasis on behaviors that children should be learning. What we see are many young people who are focused on themselves with no regard as to how their attitudes and behaviors impact those around them. In fairness, much of the fault falls on their parents first; other adults in their lives second, and last, but not least, the media (Internet, movies and television).
Wherever children look they will see examples of the adults in their environment exhibiting signs of self-absorption. Too busy with computers, phones or television to look up and have a conversation. Dismissing children, which teaches them they are not important or respected, and this behavior is what they take with them as they go out into the world.
They hear many adults speaking about those who may be different or less fortunate as if they are not worthy of their time or respect. Children learn this type of lesson very quickly and it spreads like wildfire. Behaviors that turn into bullying in school, and perpetuates intolerance as they grow into adults.
Social responsibility, respect for one another, tolerance and human kindness are what children need to be taught from the very beginning. I know that growing up my parents always instilled in us that we needed to show respect and treat others as we would want to be treated, and not to think we were better than others. Things that I taught my children, and hopefully will continue down the line. To this day I still use a phrase I heard from my father, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". Some very good advice which should be shared around the world.
Human kindness and respect.........if we teach all children these very basic skills, just imagine how things would change for the better.
From the time they come into the world children are like little sponges just waiting to absorb everything they see and hear. It is our responsibility to ensure they are learning the right things.
It is evident if you look at society and its behaviors today, that somewhere along the way we have not put the emphasis on behaviors that children should be learning. What we see are many young people who are focused on themselves with no regard as to how their attitudes and behaviors impact those around them. In fairness, much of the fault falls on their parents first; other adults in their lives second, and last, but not least, the media (Internet, movies and television).
Wherever children look they will see examples of the adults in their environment exhibiting signs of self-absorption. Too busy with computers, phones or television to look up and have a conversation. Dismissing children, which teaches them they are not important or respected, and this behavior is what they take with them as they go out into the world.
They hear many adults speaking about those who may be different or less fortunate as if they are not worthy of their time or respect. Children learn this type of lesson very quickly and it spreads like wildfire. Behaviors that turn into bullying in school, and perpetuates intolerance as they grow into adults.
Social responsibility, respect for one another, tolerance and human kindness are what children need to be taught from the very beginning. I know that growing up my parents always instilled in us that we needed to show respect and treat others as we would want to be treated, and not to think we were better than others. Things that I taught my children, and hopefully will continue down the line. To this day I still use a phrase I heard from my father, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". Some very good advice which should be shared around the world.
Human kindness and respect.........if we teach all children these very basic skills, just imagine how things would change for the better.
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