Teaching Children the Value of Keeping Their Word
Important life lessons lurk in keeping promises and doing what you say you will do. By teaching a child the importance of keeping his word, you give your child a strong foundation of trustworthiness and responsibility. This reliability will benefit your child immediately and throughout his life as he interacts with others.
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Define Keeping One̵7;s Word
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Discuss the definition of keeping one̵7;s word with your child so she understands the principle. Making a statement and then maintaining it by following through is the basis of integrity, states psychotherapist Petty Hammes, writing for ̶0;The Iowa Source.̶1; Explain to your child that saying something and then doing something else or not doing what you stated is akin to breaking promises and acting in an irresponsible and untrustworthy manner. A breach of trust can damage a relationship and make it difficult to believe what someone says.
Speaking Carefully
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Sometimes people make promises with the best of intentions, intending to follow through and do something. Although intentions are important, intentions alone are not enough. Teach a child that it̵7;s important to consider a promise carefully before making it to ensure that it̵7;s possible to follow through. If there is any doubt about following through and keeping a promise, it̵7;s best not to make a commitment to avoid breaking it, according to speech-language pathologist Judith Eckardt, with Minnesota State University.
Dependability
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Teach your child that acting responsibly and dependably requires self-discipline. Once someone makes a promise, it requires self-discipline to carry it out, according to the ̶0;Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen̶1; booklet, published by the U.S. Department of Education. Self-discipline entails persistence, willpower and self-regulation, which requires practice for children. Help your child develop these skills by monitoring actions and providing encouragement for your child to keep his word.
Modeling Trust
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When you want your child to act in a trustworthy and responsible manner, model this behavior for her so she sees your example and learns from it, advises extension educator Michelle Neff, with Michigan State University. Demonstrate honesty as you interact with others and keep the promises you make to your child and to others to ensure your positive example.
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