A certain educator was once asked at what point should a parent begin to prepare for child raising.
"How old are you?" the educator inquired.
"Twenty-three."
"You should begin twenty-three years ago."
What is the message? The single most important thing a parent can do to educate a child is to provide the child with a good role model. A parent has to work a whole lifetime becoming the type of person that he wants his child to become.
The most important people in the world in the child's eyes are his parents. They are his first and most important teachers. The behavior of a child's parents leaves a permanent impression in the child's subconscious mind. Why is this so? The reason is that the most reliable source of priorities and values in a child's eyes is his parents. Children have an innate trust in their parents. They feel that everything their parents say and do is the true and proper way to behave.
We all wish our children would do what we say and not what we do. However, this is not how the mind of a child works. The intellect of a child is undeveloped. As a result, children function an emotional level, absorbing more from what they see and hear around them than from what they are taught.
What is the take home message? The main thing for you to realize is that you have far more influence on your child than you probably realize. Your child is going to pattern himself after you. That is how nature set it up. Your job as a parent is to be the best role model that you can be. True, it is hard, but that is the way it is.
The following is a story I heard recently that brings out the extent to which your child learns from your actions.
A certain kindergarten teacher once warned a group of parents to be careful how they behave in front of their children.
"By the way your children play in school," she said. "I know which of you treat each other respectfully. I know which of you use foul language at home. I know everything about how you behave in your home by the way your child plays, talks, and behaves."
Remember, you might think that everything that goes on in your home behind closed doors is hidden from the world, but it is not. Your child sees everything. Your child is going to take your behavior and broadcast it to the world. Make sure that what he is transmitting is something that you want the world to see.
About The Author
Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online programs dealing with ADHD (addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html) treatment, ODD, parenting issues (addadhdadvances.com/betterbehavior.html), and education. You may visit his website at http://addadhdadvances.com. To sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal send a blank email to: subscribe@addadhdadvances.com?s ubject=subscribeartcity
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
As the new school year begins, parents play a pivotal... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
Not nearly as often as it should. Most child abuse... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
A tall, weary-looking mother with glasses, walked into my counseling... Read More
If you spend any time in the parenting section of... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More
When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More
I could nearly fund my children's future education if I... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale out... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
1. Create... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
I never dreamed that I would be in a position... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
Part of the responsibility of being a father is to... Read More
Parenting |