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Child ren learn from example
more than from words. They are
natural mimics. A cbild's person–
ality often mir rors tbat of par–
ents. Mannerisms, habits, vo–
cabulary and opinions will
reflect those of the parents–
for better or for worse!
Learning takes place through the
five senses: seeing, bearing, smell–
ing, feeling, tasting. Example is
important in
all
aspects. The way
we learn is tbrough repetition, per–
ception, association. Your children
learn from the wbole range of
words you use, how you use them,
the attitudes you express, the situa–
tions you explore and the informa–
tion you share. Tberefore, you
would do well to evaluate what
your example is teaching.
Take for instance a little boy and
girl observed fighting and scream–
ing at one another in tbe yard. The
girl's mother carne out to stop
them. She asked why they were
fighting. The explanation: "Oh, we
weren't fighting; we were playing
family. He's the father, and I'm the
mother." We may smile, but it's a
sad commentary on the condition
of many families these days.
Parents also need to set the right
example in providing for their chil–
dren's needs. Tbe cbildren, after
all, did not ask to come into this
world. The parents, whether on
purpose or accidentally, produced
them. When a roan and woman
embark on such a course, they are
obligating themselves to provide for
the child until the child is grown.
lf anyone does not provide for his
own, including cbildren, "he has
denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8, RAV).
Basic provisions that children
need include wholesome, balanced
food; appropriate, quality clothing;
cheerful, well-kept living quarters;
proper education; and wholesome
entertainment.
Children will follow parents'
examples more than parents'
words.
Do you keep your word? Are you
obedient to God? Do you respect
law and those in authority? Do you
say nice things to otber people's
faces and then speak critically of
them in prívate? Do you claim to be
one thing in public and then do just
the opposite in private- even in
January
1985
your own home? You will be a suc–
cessful parent only if you
are
a
right example.
Take Time to Teach
Sorne persons just slap
their children because it is
so much easier than teach–
ing or training.
God instructs you to teach your
children. "And thou shalt
teach
them [God's commandments] dili–
gently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and
when thou liest down, and
when thou risest up"
(Deut. 6:7).
The Scriptures also
admonish,
"Train
up a
child in the way he should
go ... " (Prov. 22:6,
RAY). Teach and train.
What's the difference?
They're similar but not
exactly the same. Teach–
ing i nvolves gaining a
child 's undivided atten–
tion and taking time to
give instruction about
bow to do something or
how to act in various situations.
Training, however, is repeatedly
and diligently guiding children to
apply what you have taught until it
becomes a part of their character.
Training may involve such simple
things as developing the habit of
being clean or of washing hands
before eating.
It
also involves devel–
oping tbe habit of respecting elders
and the property of others.
Teaching and training require
time, patience and repetition. Begin
by setting the right example. Show
principies and examples from tbe
Bible. Use your own experiences
and those of others to relate the
proper way. Children, remember,
learn by association. Often the best
time to instruct a child is when he
or she asks a question.
Most children, especially young
children, love to be read interesting
and exciting stories. Reading aloud
as little as 10 minutes a day from
sound educational materials more
than teaches specific facts.
lt
stimu-
lates a young mind's mental, intel–
lectual and language development.
Children need to be taught and
trained in positive skills-for exam–
ple, social and cultural manners.
They must be taught how to develop
their bodies and minds. Point out
the positive results of right actions
and the negative results of wrong
actions in language your children
will understand.
For example, children should be
warned about the tragedies of illicit
sex. Explain what is happening in
the world around us because of vio-
lating God's law against adultery
and fornication.
Point out the toll that is being
reaped in unwanted pregnancies
and the epidemics of social dis–
eases.
If
the people now suffering
from these penalties would have
obeyed God, they would not have
the problem.
You can illustrate to your chil–
dren the bad results of smoking,
drug abuse, lying and stealing,
watching the wrong kind of movies,
reading the wrong kind of litera–
ture, listening to degrading music
and participating in the wrong
kinds of activities.
Children are not yet equipped to
make right decisions in these arcas.
They need clear explanations and
continuous encouragement as they
learn to make right decisions.
It
is
your responsibility to know God's
way well enough to be able to effec–
tively impart it to your children .
All of this training takes time–
lots of time. Try to spend time each
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