Build Your Child’s Good Moral Character from Home!

Moral character building is the big task of parents. Children also learn good values at school, but I believe that parents should have the biggest role in building the good moral character of their children. Every parents hope their child will grow up to be a successful person with good moral character; but in achieving this goal, sometimes parents do mistakes.

So, moms and dads, I will mention here 50 tips on how to build good moral character of your child. Cause the tips are quite a lot, I will divide it into several postings. I hope these guidance will help you!

1. Build your child’s faith in God since the early age. Teach them the noble lessons of your religious belief and take your child to pray at the place of worship regularly. Bagi para Muslim, bulan Ramadhan seperti saat ini adalah saat yang tepat untuk lebih menanamkan ajaran agama ke anak Anda, tentunya disesuaikan dengan usia anak ya. Ajarkan Asma'ul Husna sejak dini, jadikan sebagai salah satu acuan dalam membangun karakter baik pada anak Anda. Sebagai orang tua, Anda wajib membangun pondasi iman yang kuat pada anak Anda!


2. Several polite words.
   Teach your child to always use several magic words such as thank you, please, May I …, etc. Give the straight guidance on how and when to use these words. Your child will be used to speak politely; including if your child asks something.


3. Teach your child how to socialize.
   Make ‘a little party’ for your toddler at home. Ask your child to invite his/her ‘closest’ friends, including the favorite dolls/toys and pet. Give the example how to make a friendly conversation and ask your child to follow it. If you think he/she is already prepared, take your child to your big family gathering or any other community event in your neighborhood.


4. Teach your child how to take care of things. You can give your child something alive that she/he must participate in taking care of it such as a plant or a pet (fish, cat, dog). Your child will learn more about the responsibility here.


5. Show your honesty to your child. As parents, you should try to answer all your child’s questions with honesty. Children will imitate parents. Be careful, children have sensitive feeling; they will know if you lie.


6. Appreciate your child’s belongings. Respect your child as an owner. You should ask permission everytime you want to take, use or even throw his/her things.


7. Teach your child to respect others. Tell your child not to differentiate his/her friends. Respecting others (not include strangers) can also be done by saying polite words and showing polite behavior. Don’t forget to remind your child to still alert for strangers.


8. Have a little chat and read a story before your child is going to bed every night. You may ask a few simple questions such as “What is the best thing and what is the worst thing that you’ve been through during this day?” Let your child evaluate himself/herself. Be a good listener; don’t cut his/her words. If the time is right, you may enter by giving good values to your child. Read a story is also a recommended way to giving good values. The point is you have to choose the appropriate book that contains educative matters.


9. Give the Best Family Member Award to the winner every week.
   You may apply this contest at your home. The winner is the family member who appraised as the most helpful and caring to other family member during the week. Be creative, set your own contest terms (who can be the participant and the appraiser, and what are the appraisal criteria).


10. Play the game: If I … I will …
    You ask questions that your child must answer to complement it. The wanted goal is your child can respond every question with applying good values. Don’t ask too many questions in one occasion; it won’t be fun anymore.
    
    Example:
    You say,” If I have lots of cookies…” Your child may answer, “I’ll share it with my friends”You may say,” If I see my toys are all over the floor…”
    “If I see my friend is crying…”
    “If I have broken my friend’s ruler…”
    “If I must stand in a long queue to get my lunch…”
    “If I get thirsty…”etc.
    
    If your child shows inappropriate reaction; guide him/her how to respond well to the situation and repeat the same question. Don’t forget to praise your child for every appropriate response!
    
    
    rewrite source : tabloid Nova