If the title of this month’s blog seems familiar that is because it is from an old Crosby, Stills, and Nash song. Come on grandparents out there—you’ve seen this title.
There is only so much that we, as teachers, can do to prepare your children for life. You the parent must do the rest. Because we now live in such a rush, rush world and because two salaries are often a must to keep our heads above water, we make hard choices about time with our children.
People often ask me what I see about children now that I did not see in the 1980s when I opened. What I see is that children often lack basic “social graces.” So many of their sentences start with “I want” and never end with “thank you.” Are they ill bred kids? Heavens no. Kids have more today and seek more. Parents are harried with child care, laundry, food prep, school, shopping, sports, etc. So what can you do to make this better?
Teach your child to be thankful. Thank you cards are a must for young children and they can make them. A phone call, text, or email should not be enough. Children should be taught to be very grateful. Our children are so blessed with relative peace unlike some children. Teach them well. One of my son’s college professors told me at an awards ceremony that one thing that impressed the faculty and why they recommended so many honors for him was because he knew how to be grateful.
Teach empathy. The most successful people have the feelings of others at their heart. The best CEOs have the respect of their employees because they try to “feel what the little guy feels.”
Please, please teach manners. The most important of these is respect for people and materials of others. I get so saddened when children are rough with materials at school and then say, “just get another one.”
Teach kids to look people in the eye and speak. They don’t have to say much but a nice hello is so wonderful. Be a model for this always.
As a new year of school begins, vow that along with reading, writing, and math that we will all slow down and teach our children well. They are our future.]]>
