1. Showcase Positive Values
If you want to teach your children right from wrong, lead by example. Values and morality are learned primarily through personal experiences and witnessing the behavior of others. Consequently, if you want a child to learn values such as generosity, respect, honesty and forgiveness, model those values for them. Be conscious of everything you do in the presence of children. Avoid gossiping, swearing, fighting, lying and other negative behaviors they could pick up. Children are like sponges, and it only takes one bad word to have a "potty mouth" on your hands.
Values are also taught implicitly by how you choose to spend your time. If you want a child to value family, you have to make spending time with the family a priority. Likewise, if you want a child to feel a sense of responsibility to the community, you need to model community service. This can be done by making volunteer efforts visible, taking your child with you to make donations to charity and doing things to help the environment like recycling, picking up trash or conserving energy.
2. Practice the Golden Rule
To teach a child to respect other people and show empathy, you have to respect others, including the child. It's sometimes easy for adults to forget that children are also people, but the only way to teach the golden rule is to live by it. Show understanding for your children's feelings, listen when they are talking, say "please" and "thank you," accept their apologies and avoid yelling, threats and physical punishments. It's also important to apologize to your children when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness.
3. Demonstrate Healthy Living
It's impossible to tell your children to do one thing while you are doing the opposite and expect them to obey. If you want to raise children to be healthy, you must be a role model for healthy living. Show your children that taking care of your body is important by going to the doctor and the dentist regularly. Demonstrate healthy eating habits. Cook nutritious foods, avoid too many fatty foods and sweets and make good choices when eating at restaurants. Show the importance of exercise going to the gym, jogging, biking or taking part in other athletic activities on a regular basis. Encourage your children to join you. Remember that what you don't do also teaches lessons. Avoid drugs, smoking and alcohol abuse. If your children find out you're indulging these behaviors, they may interpret that as permission to also try them.
4. Show a Love of Learning
Raising a child who is motivated in school is easier when you demonstrate a love of learning yourself. Letting a child see you read regularly, watch educational television or take classes can instill an appreciation for life-long learning. Having a positive attitude towards education is contagious, particularly for children.
