Chapter 2:
Future Leaders of Tomorrow
In 2010, I worked in a preschool for a while (about a year) as the Administrative & Operations Manager, assisting the Principal in administrative tasks and school syllabuses. I loved talking to the teachers there because I would learn something new about them - and about the children they teach - almost everyday. I also loved having conversations with the schoolchildren because they were so fun to talk to! ;)
Anyway, when I observe the behaviour of the people around me (and also myself), I feel that our parents could have done some things differently while raising us so that we would be able to handle certain life's challenges and struggles better as adults. These were the things that the teachers at the school had taught me:
COMPASSION
Children should be treated as children, not simply small adults. They must be treated with tender compassion, and you will come to realise that they are a source of one of life’s greatest joys.
RECOGNITION
We must recognise that each child is a unique person. It is dangerous to make too much comparison between children because they vary in talents and dispositions. They should be considered individually.
CONSIDERATION
Do small problem-solving exercises to help a child think about the feelings of others and learn the value of consideration. Over time, even a young child sees that words or actions can make another person smile or feel better, and that is when he or she is kind to someone else.
DISCIPLINE
Discipline does not necessarily mean punishment. Discipline really means showing the way to go, as well as deterring the way not to go. You are more than just a friend to children. By word and example you have to show and teach them right from wrong, and truth from error.
TRUTHFULNESS
The best way to encourage truthfulness in your child is to be a truthful person yourself. Let your child hear you being truthful with other adults. Another way to promote the value of honesty: don’t overreact if your child lies to you. Instead, help him or her find a way to tell the truth.
DIRECTION
Children have to learn to make decisions, and in time will make all of their own decisions. Parents should make it as easy as possible for their children to come to them for good counsel and direction so that they are able to be good decision-makers.
LOVE
Let the children see you demonstrate your love and affection for the people in your life. And, of course, don’t let a day pass without expressing your affection for them. When children feel free to express their love to us, we instil in them perhaps the greatest value of all.
RESPECT
We should have respect for children. They have feelings, too. If they misbehave, talk to them firmly but gently, teach them and reason with them if we have to. We should never abuse them verbally or physically.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Children meet with disappointments sometimes. They must be shown how to deal with them. We should not be the source of discouragement. We should help them succeed, build self-esteem and self-respect, and show them their worth.
DETERMINATION
Determination is a value that you can encourage from a very young age. First, you praise your children for their initiative in doing something. Congratulate them when they manage to do things that are difficult for them. Then you provide them with honest yet gentle feedback.
INDEPENDENCE
Children cannot stand alone. But they must be taught to stand alone. The time will come when you will not be there to prop them up and they must learn to stand, and how to stand. The time will come when we must turn them loose, and that is not easy to do, but must be done.
JUSTICE
In order to help children internalise a true sense of justice, parents need to encourage them to take some action to remedy a wrong. Having a child say sorry and make amends in a proactive way emphasise the importance of treating people fairly.
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