A WaLk tO ReMeMBeR..

How does CHILDREN learn basic manners and social skills if these do not begin in the home ?

I read this article in Star Newspaper today.. And I felt that it was really true.. maybe is my 職業病.. when I was teaching in the kindy.. I saw some children really spoiled by their parents.. Once they shout or cry, they get everything.. and worst.. when they cry.. some parents gave them sweets or toys so that their children stop crying.. come on.. how can children get rewards when they did something wrong? For those parents who busy for their careers, they put their children in chilcare centres or baby sisters.. if the baby sister don’t really care and just let their children to eat, sleep, watch tv and get whatever they want.. it will ends up the child learn nothing and does not know how to behave themselves.. I really hope that parents will read this article.. it is really meaningful.. Here is the summary of the article:

-    a child is like a sponge. When parents go out and take their children with them, the children are constantly learning and imitate what their parents do and say. If you break traffic rules, you are teaching your children that it is OK to flout the law. If you shout at the shopkeeper, you are teaching your child that t is OK to be rude to others and show no respect.

-          Children are great observers and by the time they begin to walk they have absorbed they parents’ behaviours. If you have n manners as a parent, be ready to deal with a difficult child.

-          Teach your child good manners from an early age. If child hears  his parents say ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘I’m sorry’, they will use these words by the time they ready to talk. By the time the child is 3 or 4, they will understand what courtesy means by learning to share, showing respect for elders, and apologizing for any mischief.

-          Some simple manners include greetings when they meet people, respecting people’s privacy, learning t say ‘excuse me’ when interrupting someone in conversation, keep quiet in public places, etc…

-          Parents should never ignore poor behaviour and try not to discipline child in front of others. Children haves feelings and do not appreciate being embarrassed in front of people.

-          Parents need to watch their language cuz bad words easily picked up by children.

Love and respect are about the most effective ways parents have to teach children good manners.

( The Star, pg T27, 11/5/2007)