How to Teach Values & Morals

Leading by Example

• Kids are impressionable and depend on their parents to show them how the world works. An article on raising children on the Dr. Sears website advises that as children watch their parents, they take on the adults̵7; standards as if they were their own. It̵7;s normal for a child to assume that her parent̵7;s actions and beliefs are right, so one of the best ways to teach morals and values to a child is to lead by example, especially during the preschool years. By the time a kid is about 6 or 7 years old, she̵7;ll be choosing her own morals and values, so it̵7;s important to demonstrate the behavior that you want your child to emulate starting at a young age.

Taking Advantage of Teachable Moments

• It can sometimes seem as if bad examples are everywhere. When you see someone demonstrating bad behavior ̵2; whether it̵7;s a real person or on a cartoon or other TV show ̵2; talk to you child about why the behavior was wrong. Writing on the Ohio State University Extension website, certified family counseling specialist Joyce K. Fittro suggests that you explain your family̵7;s beliefs and values so your child has a better understanding of why you want him to behave and think in a particular way, as well as the importance of those morals and values. You may create teachable moments by role-playing and reading books together that teach about the differences between right and wrong. Similarly, when your child demonstrates positive behavior that aligns with the morals and values that you̵7;re teaching him, acknowledge it to reinforce the behavior.

Monitoring Recreation and Media

• Engaging in play and time being exposed to various media help shape a child̵7;s morals and values. An article on NoBullying.com, a Northern Ireland-based online forum dedicated to putting a stop to bullying, sponsored by Treze Technology, states that kids copy what they hear and see, so it̵7;s important to be actively involved in all areas of a child̵7;s life. If, while they̵7;re playing at your home, your child̵7;s friends exhibit behavior that displays the opposite of the morals and values that you̵7;re trying to instill, for instance, set some ground rules so they know your expectations. When choosing movies, books and television shows for your child to watch, and discussing with her the choices you allow her to make, look for those that back up your family̵7;s moral values to reinforce what you teach at home.

Discipline Instead of Punishment

• When your child displays behavior that̵7;s contrary to the morals and values that you̵7;re trying to teach, discipline him using logical consequences. Fittro states that discipline shows respect and fairness, even if your child doesn̵7;t think the consequences are fair. An example of discipline is not allowing a child to watch a television show for a week if he says that he copied bad behavior that he saw on the program. When you discipline your child, explain why the behavior is unacceptable in a manner that̵7;s simple to understand.