| > | | | | see how priorities change over the years. For |
| Do you remember your first teacher? Was it Miss | | | | example, a three-year-old may be grateful for his |
| Sally or Miss Nancy from preschool? Perhaps it was | | | | favorite truck while a sixteen-year-old may be thankful |
| Mr. Jones from kinder-care? Who was your | | | | to drive a truck. |
| child’s first teacher? Miss Suzie? Nope. What | | | | The Lesson of Responsibility |
| about Ms. Smith? Wrong again. I know who your | | | | There is no greater teacher than a good example. To |
| child’s first teacher was. It was you. | | | | teach responsibility, which is being answerable and |
| Yes, you. | | | | accountable for your words and actions, you must be |
| You are your child’s first teacher. You are | | | | that example. Parents have to model behavior they |
| also their longest teacher. It doesn’t matter if | | | | hope their children adopt as their own. Do what you |
| your child is traditional-schooled, homeschooled or | | | | say you will do, be honest in your dealings with your |
| unschooled; you are your child’s first — | | | | peers, show courage in standing up for your beliefs, |
| and longest — teacher. From the moment your | | | | and maintain self respect for self and others. |
| child was born, you were there to nurture and support | | | | Additionally, to teach responsibility, be prepared to give |
| their growth. As they continue to grow and enter | | | | your child the space to make his or her own choices |
| preschool, elementary school and even middle or high | | | | and deal with the consequences, whether positive and |
| school, you don’t stop teaching them. Grade | | | | negative. |
| level doesn’t determine your role as teacher. | | | | The Lesson of Service |
| YOU determine that role by cultivating a healthy | | | | Teaching the lesson of service or giving back helps |
| relationship with your children that is built on consistent | | | | children learn compassion and empathy while also |
| love, support and commitment to their growth. | | | | strengthening their own self-esteem and confidence. |
| Here are three lessons to share with children of any | | | | Often, all it takes is one act of selflessness to make |
| age: | | | | selfishness go away and open a child’s eyes to |
| The Lesson of Gratitude | | | | the joy of service. So, what can you do to teach this |
| Teaching gratitude can seem tricky - especially when | | | | lesson? Small acts of kindness, like sharing a smile, |
| children have an often well-deserved reputation for | | | | holding the door open for another or baking cookies |
| self-centeredness and selfishness. However, gratitude | | | | for a neighbor, are fantastic ways to teach service. |
| is an essential lesson. Children who are thankful not | | | | You may also want to create a family giving box |
| only are polite and pleasant, they are sensitive and | | | | where everyone can regularly add a small amount of |
| empathetic to the feelings of others and also develop | | | | money to contribute to a group or cause. |
| strong leadership ability and life skills. A simple way to | | | | Again, it doesn’t matter if your child is in |
| instill gratitude is to take a daily gratitude inventory. Ask | | | | preschool, elementary, middle or high school, you will |
| each person in the family to list and share all the things | | | | always be their first teacher. Instilling the lessons above |
| they are grateful for in their life. Not only do you learn | | | | can also make you their favorite one as well! |
| something about your family, it’s a fun way to | | | | |