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Three days
after 5-year-old Mao Ling received her gift of crayons,
she had lost all interest in it. It was observed that
all of the crayons were strewn about. The crayons were
in a disorder, the box was destroyed, and the crayons
were either broken or lost. Everything was in disarray
as opposed to the first time she saw it. Everything was
well taken care of when she received it.
This story
just might sound familiar to many parents. It is a fact
that many kids do not know how to value their possessions.
What they simply do is to ask for more or for replacements
if their current toys are broken.
Normally, what
parents do is to show anger to their kids if their toys
or possessions get lost for the nth time. And then the
parents remind the kids to be more diligent next time.
This kind of
discipline technique has been proven to be ineffective
for many generations of parents.
Mrs. Kelly
Loh, a veteran preschool teacher, says that many parents
believe that children will always be children and that
most of these parents do not have the conviction of reprimanding
their kids because they have already spared them of guilt.
One cannot
expect children to show responsibility at a very tender
age. However, one should not think that kids cannot be
responsible at all. Children will know how to value their
possessions if this value is taught to them consistently
at a young age.
Understanding
Societal Changes
Parents of
this generation know that valuing possessions is one important
value to instill in kids. The buying power of society
becomes higher as the entire economy shifts forward.
Advertisements
are focused on children. One will observe that these are
more advanced and sophisticated than before.
One cannot
expect children to show responsibility at a very tender
age. However, one should not think that kids cannot be
responsible at all. Children will know how to value their
possessions if this value is taught to them consistently
at a young age.
Everyday, there
are better products available in the market specifically
for kids. What this does to kids is that they look forward
to upcoming trends instead of looking at what they currently
have.
It is unfortunate
that parents spoil their kids by buying more of these
fancy toys.
It has become
a habit of many to replace old toys with new ones impromptu
as long as there are new displays without even considering
if the old can still be repaired or mended.
What Parents
Can Do
1) Practice
Patience
Teaching children
to value possessions is not done the way you teach adults
at all. Kids will forget lessons about value and you will
have to repeat them again. Improvement in behavior will
be gradual, not instant.
2) Show Examples
Lead by example.
If you do not show value to your possessions as a parent,
your kids will pick up this attitude. Always show your
kids that everything is neat and practice care in using
things.
3) Control
Your Impulses
Children are
very observant and this is one strong force of learning.
Do not be extravagant in your purchases because your kids
will think this is the right behavior. Always justify
the need before buying something.
4) Be Tidy
There has to
be a specific place where the children can store their
toys. The toys should be organized and it is advised that
you do not pick the toys for them. Let them pick the toys
and organize them.
5) Explain
Purchases
Children should
know the value of money. They should know that you work
hard for your money. Do not let the children think that
it is easy to earn money that they can luxuriously spend.
Teach them how to save.
6) Do Not Replace
Lost Items
Many parents
tend to rush into replacing broken things for their kids.
The right attitude is to let the children look for what
is lost. Praise them, though, if nothing gets lost.
7) The Value
of Sharing
Teaching children
to share is a great way to start good morale. Let them
pick out toys they do not like anymore and let them share
the toys to charity. This will make them realize there
are other kids who do not have the same privileges as
they are.
8) The Law
Rules should
be clear right from the start. Discipline is the key here.
Teaching children to value their possessions means equating
irresponsibility with losing privileges. Tell the children
that you will not buy toys for them anymore if they keep
losing things.
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