Families For Life | Teaching core values in everyday moments

Core values like integrity, kindness, harmony, and resilience are important to teach your kids as they will have a deep impact on their development, personality, and behaviour. As their parent, you should take every opportunity to teach your kids these important core values. One of the best ways you can do so is to show these core values in action during your daily routines. This will also give your kids opportunities to understand what these values mean and apply them in their lives, too.


Read on to learn how you can teach your children core values in everyday moments!


During mealtimes


Meals are the perfect occasion to show a variety of values in play. Being in a familiar environment with people your child is comfortable around also provides a safe space for your child to watch, understand, and apply core values in action.


At the table, you can teach respect through manners – saying “please” when asking for more servings, or “thank you” when being served, and staying in their seat while waiting for everyone to finish their meal. With siblings, you may want to show the merits of sharing with others. Over time, these small gestures build a strong foundation for empathy.


Doing chores


Chores are a great medium to impart values to your kids! Other than learning lifelong practical skills to take care of themselves and their loved ones, being involved in chores teaches kids the value of hard work, responsibility, and harmony through teamwork. 


The important thing here is that your kids are assigned chores that work for their ages and abilities. In turn, chores like setting the table or replacing pillow covers can give your child the satisfaction of being able to care for their loved ones. Take a look at this article to start getting your kids involved in chores!


At the mall


Outside the comfort of their home, your kids will be in real-world situations where values get tested and shaped. They might encounter long queues, have to interact with staff, or customers who need help. When commuting on public transport, they may also have to deal with loud noises or meet passengers with diverse needs.  


These moments can be a good time to reinforce values. Actions like holding the door open for others, giving up your seat, or saying “thank you” to cashiers can help show your child the merit of being patient, understanding, and respectful to others.


Leading by example


It’s no secret that many children learn by observing and doing. So, while you may try your best to teach your child how to show core values in action, one of the best methods is to practice those actions and core values yourself. Be the kind of person you want your child to be! You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but your children will see your honest efforts - from how you speak to how you act - and follow along too.


Stay observant and be creative


While not every event needs to be a lecture on values, everyday life is full of opportunities to help your child build a strong set of positive core values. The key is to be intentional with your lessons and to be consistent. At the end of the day, remember that core values are built over time, through lived experiences and the way you (and your child!) respond to them. Over time, those actions and little lessons will help shape your child to be someone greater!




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