[Parenting] Character Education for Young Children

The term "character education" may seem familiar, but it is a bit strange and confusing. What is character?

"What is virtue?

If we analyze the words "character and virtue", "character" refers to a person's conduct and nature, and "virtue" refers to a person's integrity and goodness of character. Taken together, the two words "character and virtue" refer to a person's integrity and goodness of character.
Modern parents attach great importance to their children's academic achievements, but often neglect the cultivation of their children's moral character, resulting in the gradual erosion of the importance of some good virtues, such as honesty, trustworthiness, respect, courtesy, diligence, responsibility, fairness, caring, and other important character traits. As a matter of fact, the formation of human moral character starts from the age of zero, and infancy is the key period for character formation and development.

It all starts at home.

A newborn baby has no concept of right and wrong, and does not know what behavior is permissible or not permissible. Its moral judgment can be said to be "unregulated".

Toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5 begin to understand the existence of rules, and they imitate older children in following them to avoid being penalized. Therefore, the standards of right and wrong established by toddlers come from parents, for example:

"You have to share with others", "You have to wait in line to get on the bus"...
"Be honest and courteous", "Don't lie"...
"Don't bully others," "Don't steal your sister's toys..."
"To care about other people's feelings", "To play with my brother"...

Children will define right and wrong behavior according to parental rules and will learn to apply some of the lessons from their parents to themselves, gradually forming their character.

Ways to Develop Children's Character [Demonstrating Good Character].

When parents set a good example in their daily life, their children will have a living example of how to practise good character. For example, if parents want to cultivate integrity in their children, apart from reminding their children of the importance of keeping promises, they should also set an example by not making promises and honoring their promises to their children, so that the children can experience the reality of honesty and integrity in their own lives!

[Praise for Good Character]

When a child demonstrates good character, parents can point out specifically what words, actions, and attitudes exemplify good character traits. For example, if a child takes the initiative to greet a neighbor who has bumped into him or her, parents can praise the child's initiative, sincerity, courtesy, and bravery, and explain how these good character traits have benefited the child as well as others, thus encouraging him or her to continue to demonstrate good character.

[Sharing Good Character]

Parents can use dinner or parent-child time to share with their children how they've applied the goodies.
They will be able to recognize the virtues of good character and the benefits that these virtues bring to others and to themselves. Children are molded into good morals by the environment in which they are exposed to them.