The high-speed Internet technologies and increased exposure of children to such high-tech environment have stirred the concern of all - teachers, parents, and community level. The trend of children getting perverted could be arrested and their general personal disposition could be used in a positive way for the good of the society. It’s in this context that inculcating moral values is important. However, it’s the responsibility of all to see to it that the values that are expected of children are ingrained and cultivated by them so that we can prevent them from going astray and shaping them into responsible citizens.
It’s important to take care of certain points at different levels – parents/guardians, teachers and elsewhere.
Develop the notion of personal integrity - honesty, kindness, forgiveness respect, gratitude, responsibility and courtesy.
These values are important and help develop positive and strong personality among children. Children aged five-six years can sense the good and bad. They are likely to emulate their parents at this stage.
Therefore, as a parent, you should be role model practising the aforementioned values to the true spirit.
Why parents?
Parents can play a critical role in instilling moral values because children keep watching parents do whatever as long as they're home. Setting yourself as one abiding by the values would help them follow you.But the issue when it comes to you, to keep your cool is a challenge.
The following points will be helpful:
Exhibit a polite disposition, be kind to others
Be proactive when saying or executing a task. Illustrate stories from history or myths. Describe them in detail to them, act if need be. And discuss the moral there, and how children will benefit themselves from others in the society.
If you like certain people tell them why you do so. This will strengthen children’s belief in the values and will practice in daily life.
Pose a hypothetical situation from media
Pose children the reality faced everywhere reported in the news. Just casually ask them how the event is what the children will do if they encounter a similar situation. This will help inculcate effective reasoning in such situations.
When you go to worship accommodate your children. Occasionally, they may get a query on any aspect of the practices/rituals you perform, explain to them why you do it and what’ll be the benefit thereof. This will instil good faith, the values taught.
Avoid anger : Spending time with children is one of the happiest occasions of one’s life. This is because if lost they cannot be enjoyed later – you cannot put the clock back. Show a pleasant temper at the moment howsoever you’re exhausted when you’re at desk/work.
During weekends spend with your children in gardening, going out or drawing pictures, if your children are interested. This will boost the bond between the two and you can influence them easily with respect to moral values.
Listen to them carefully:Children have certain ideas on the issues we face every day. Often, they give their opinion as well. Accept them if they're absolutely right to make some correction therein if so needed. And, tell them why they were right/why you made the corrective step. Reinforce their positive behaviour.
Take children to community services: When children are let participate in community activities, say, cleaning the ground by picking up torn paper pieces, it’ll develop a positive attitude to physical work.
In any case, parents are the most potent instrument in inculcating the values in children. Therefore, it’s important to set them as a classic example of uprightness in the eyes of children.