Important Things to Teach Your Kids TODAY
There are a lot of things your kids will learn over the course of their lifetime. There are so many things they have to learn before they even reach adulthood. But there are some things they need to know now. I’ve made a list of just a few things everyone should start teaching their kids TODAY.
How to speak quietly.
I know, I know. You can’t really expect a child under a certain age to be able to have a full grasp of the idea of inside/outside voice. But the earlier you start teaching, the easier it will be for them to know what volume level is appropriate in what situations. Do you really want your kid screaming out personally sensitive information in a quiet setting? I don’t.
The idea that parents never taught their kids a ‘library voice’ has never been more evident to me than right now… as I sit in the public library trying to type with kids yelling and running all around me. Parents: PLEASE! Start early. For the sake of every person trying to enjoy any quiet library ever.
How to call people by their name.
Are you thinking that this just seems like common sense? Me too. But I am constantly annoyed at kids (mostly teenagers) who call every one of their teachers ‘Miss’ because they can’t be bothered to remember a name. It’s basically the equivalent of saying, “Hey you.” Calling someone by their name is just respectful.
And honestly, even kids who have been taught this could use some reminders because it is easy to fall into the bad habits of others surrounding you. I was always reminding my oldest boy while he was in high school that teachers are people too and deserve to be addressed as human beings. Just think of all the other circumstances where this skill will be used and it just makes sense.
How to verbalize a hello.
This is something I’ve been teaching my 9 year old. When we see his friends out somewhere (or even in school) and they say hello his response is basically to smile and nod. While this may be an acceptable nonverbal greeting, I feel like if he received a VERBAL greeting, he should respond in the same way.
The words “hello” or “hi” will suffice. It doesn’t have to be anything long and drawn out. Just something that lets the person know, “Hey. I heard you. I see you. I’m acknowledging your presence.”
How to look people in the eyes.
This one takes practice. I always asked my dad how I was supposed to look at someone in BOTH eyes at the SAME time. My little brain couldn’t wrap my mind around that. It seemed impossible. It isn’t. But even if you haven’t mastered the technique you can still look at someone’s face while they’re speaking.
This is where it will start for kids. Teaching them to look someone in the face while they are speaking/listening will not only help them engage in active communication but will also help the other person to feel seen.
How to take responsibility instead of making excuses.
Oh. My. Goodness. How many times have we all heard full-grown adults give excuse after excuse after excuse, trying to shift blame to anywhere but themselves. My husband literally complains all the time because people at his job are too busy pointing fingers to actually FIX the problems that occur.
When this is the kind of behavior adults exhibit, it’s no wonder that our youth have picked up on the very same thing… only at a much earlier age. Kids are learning to how deflect blame and therefore shrug off the responsibility that comes with their actions. If you ask my kids they’ll tell you that some of my most used phrases are “Take responsibility for your choices” and “Stop deflecting.”
And we can’t just tell kids to be responsible without showing them. They do need a lot of reminders. But what they need more than anything is a number of good examples of what good examples look like. Be one.
Respect.
Did you notice the common theme of these points? Every single one has to do with showing people respect. Being personal. Being intentional. Being kind. They all show immense respect for the people around you. Where will the world be when we fail to teach our kids how to respect others, regardless of age, race, gender, etc.? Turn on the news. Look around you. Then multiply that exponentially.
We have to teach our kids how to show respect to others, even when they may not get along. Because they will face difficult people just like we do. They’ll encounter people who will be a constant force of confrontation in their lives. But respect comes before like or dislike. and our kids need to know that.
Are there more?
I could go on and on. Honestly, there are a ton of things that we are failing to consistently teach our kids these days. I use the word ‘consistently’ because most people talk to their kids about these things at some point, but continuing education in respect of others is definitely lacking.
As a side note, I’d like to say that I’m still working on all this with my kids too. Honestly, I probably will into their adulthood. Because they need lots of reminders. Any of my friends reading this could tell you where my kids are lacking. The important thing is to KEEP TEACHING THEM! They’ll get there eventually.
Just like with any subject they learn at school, the lessons of respect and responsibility continue to get more complex throughout their lives. And ours. We are never finished learning. It helps to start early. So keep it up parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, guardians. Lets raise up a new generation!
Have a blessed day friends!
Titus 2:7-8