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Transferring Values to Young Children
What they see is what we get: Character
Education has been a part of the Early Childhood curriculum for over a
century. But young children develop a value system more by what they see
than by what is contained in a lesson plan. In fact,
parental example is the primary standard by which young children measure
acceptable behavior.
Therefore, if we want our children to be decent, disciplined adults,
guided by an inner compass of moral integrity, we must be vigilant to
monitor the character of our own souls (see
Let
Us Set the Standard).
One Teacher's Account:
Polly's gift - Three generations later:
When I was 10, I shattered my leg at the base of a tree while sledding
down Lightning Hill. When I returned home from the hospital, Polly
delivered a large yellow "Sunshine Box" filled with enough gifts to last
the long and difficult convalescence. It was a gesture of kindness I had
never known.
From that time
on, I watched Pollys parents more closely. Her father was a painting
contractor and worked hard to support their family and modest home. One
year Pollys mother drove us to The Haden Planetarium in New York City
because she wanted us to know about astronomy. When we had a flat tire,
midtown, during a rainstorm, she kept us safe. I was more impressed by
her courage and strength than by the constellations.
As the years passed, Pollys grandparents became totally disabled. The
family made concessions and moved both Grandma and Grandpa into the tiny
bedroom that was once a childs paradise. I remember seeing her mother
give injections to the bedridden elders, keeping them comfortable as
they deteriorated. There was no complaint. Just joy, peace, uprightness,
and strength.
I moved away
when I became an adult. They never knew the impact they had on my life
or on the lives of my yet-to-be-born children. They never knew of the
Sunshine Boxes we passed on for 30 years, or of the compassion my adult
children now demonstrate for those in need. But Polly's family and the
legacy of what it means to be guided by generosity and moral integrity
has had a ripple effect of enormous proportion.
Our Heritage: Let us be diligent to carefully
transfer values of love and grace to those around us. Let us guide young
souls with kindness and honesty. And let us set a standard of integrity
that shines brightly in the face of all we hold dear.
Our children - and their friends - are watching.
_______________________
The character of a man is not inherited.
It is assembled daily, from the little acts of justice in his midst.
Compassion is shown. Kindness is passed on.
And integrity is fostered deep in a mans soul.
Let us set the standard toward which our children can strive.
Let us all lead lives that are evident in truth and character.
For we have been given a holy calling
to create a new world, one little life at a time.
_______________________
Character Education's Honorable
Dozen:
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Integrity (see
Let
Us Set the Standard)
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Truth/honesty (see
Embroidered Truth)
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Justice
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Kindness
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Patience
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Gentleness
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Love
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Faith
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Joy
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Peace
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Respect for others
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Self-respect
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