6 Good Habits Your
Kids Need
Kids need to learn a
lot of things as they grow, but these 6 will help them thrive and be happy
throughout life.
By Amy Peterson
It’s
tempting, as a parent, to make life happy and easy for your children. After
all, they are completely helpless when they are born, and rely on parents and
caregivers for everything. Part of parenting is teaching children to be
responsible and capable. There are many habits children need to develop. Here
are six good habits every child needs.
1. Saying thank you
Expressing
gratitude is a habit that will help kids throughout their lives. The habit of
merely saying "thank you" will take root, and real feelings of
gratitude will develop. I've met resistance when forcing children to say
thanks, particularly when they are very young or dealing with strangers, so I
don't push too hard with little kids. As you model polite manners and help kids write thank-you notes
for gifts, they'll learn to show thankfulness. Grateful people are happy
people; thus, the gift of gratitude is a good one to give.
2. Smiling
Children who are happy smile often. They are prompted to do so
from their very first smiles, as parents encourage and coo in response. When
children smile at others, they remind adults that there is good in the world.
Happy children are respected and liked. I encourage my children to be friendly
to everyone, old and young. Learning to give a simple smile can lift others up
and spread happiness every day. I know my mood improves when I receive a smile
from a child.
3. Waiting
Patience
is hard for children, but studies show those who delay
gratification are more
successful in life. This starts with learning to wait. Not everyone can be
first down the slide or first to receive a special treat. Children also can't
monopolize the attention of teachers or adults. To practice this skill, take
children to places where other children are, like parks and children's museums
or zoos. Make sure your child has plenty of experience socializing with others
and being in places where their needs can't always be met immediately. Patience
is a lesson that must be taught often and, ironically, takes patience to teach.
4. Picking up after themselves
I
know I'm not the only mother who finds herself saying "This is not a
hotel, and I am not a maid" when I find myself picking up after the other
five people who live in my house. Most people spend much of their lives living
with others. I'm trying to teach my creative but messy teen to
pick up her things not only in her room, but in common areas, as well. Cleaning
up after themselves teaches children to be respectful of their belongings and
think of the comfort of others. It also helps them learn that everyone must
work together to make a home function well.
5. Drinking water
A
healthy habit of water drinking will keep your child happy and his or
her body strong. Water helps with overall mood, energy, good digestion and is
the best beverage for children. If children drink water most of the time, they
will not crave sweet beverages that lead to tooth decay and childhood obesity.
If ever my kids say they have a headache or are not feeling well, my first
prescription is a drink of water. They know that before they have lemonade or
orange juice at a meal when it is served, they have to have a glass of water
first.
6. Sharing
This is a difficult lesson to learn, but one that will cultivate
a life of service and thinking of others. Toddlers are quite possessive of
their toys, and young children seem to delight in only wanting a toy that
someone else is playing with. Model sharing with your young children as you
play with them, and expect it of older children. The phrase "Can I have
the next turn, please" has worked well in our home. Knowing how to share
helps kids to be generous, thoughtful and aware of others.
Some of these habits will take years to fully teach. If you
start when your children are young, by the time they are young adults they will
have cultivated these six good habits and several others, even if they don't
always pick up their socks.
Amy Peterson
Amy
M. Peterson, a former high school English teacher, currently lives in Oregon
with her husband and four children. She spends her days writing, reading,
exercising and trying to get her family to eat more vegetables.
Taken from: http://familyshare.com/6-good-habits-your-kids-need
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