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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