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