Before going into detail on the different list of values that are important in life, let us first try to understand what values mean.
When being asked the question, what are your values? You first need to know the meaning of values.
Values are things you perceive as important in the way you live your life.
They are your inner guidance that keeps you true to your path.
Everyone has different set of values, there is no right or wrong.
It all just depends on what is important to you.
Majority of the time, the values that we have are those that have been passed down to us by our parents.
They are the list of values are parents think is important to teach us so we can live a fulfilling life.
As we progress through different stages in life our list of values may change as we have different priorities then.
The list of values that you use tend to determine if you are living life the way you want too.
As a parent it is important to nurture our children with a set values that will enable them to become kind human beings.
The importance of moral values :
Parenting involves taking care of our children physical and mental needs. It is about empowering children to become the best version of themselves.
Parents play a crucial role in shaping children’s behaviour and character.
Part of this process involves teaching them about moral values that they can carry with them until they are old.
We cannot expect our children to do good in life if we do not teach them moral values. This does not come naturally but rather ingrained in them from a young age.
As your child grows up and goes through different experiences in life their moral values or priorities may change.
However, a strong foundation of positive values will most likely continue being with them even as an adult
List of values:
- Kindness
- Integrity
- Acceptance
- Focus
- Responsibility
- Honesty
- Commitment
- Loyalty
- Open-mindedness
- Growth
- Friendship
- Faith
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Optimism
- Spirituality
- Sense of community
- Empathy
- Respect
- Perseverance
- Gratitude
- Curiosity
- Blessing
- Compromising
- Adjusting
- Truth
- Trust
- Respectful
- Humility
- Being true to yourself
- Love for family
- Hard work
- Courage
- Responsibility
- Generosity
- Justice & fair
- Determination
- Patience
- Confidence
- Politeness
8 list of values and morals:
1. Kindness
There are different ways to teach children kindness. At the top of it is to model empathy to our children.
We are the greatest role models to our children. We can show them what kindness means and how it makes other people feel. For example, by volunteering and getting children involved in it.
Kindness can also start from home. For example, when children see how daddy is helping mommy out at home or getting children to help out house hold chores.
The important thing is to remind children what they are doing is kind and thank them for their kindness.
With younger children can teach them the idea of sharing. For example, getting children to share their toys with other children. Then thanking them for sharing and reminding them how kind they are and how happy it makes you feel.
Teach your child to comfort a friend who is upset in school and stand up for bullies.
Dont forget….THE GROWTH MINDSET KIT to encourage children to share kindness with others
With children now spending more time online, teaching kindness should also be incorporated into the digital world.
For example, reminding children to always post positive things and say nice things online. Reminding your child that what they write or post can affect others and it is important to be kind even online.
If you think your child is not being kind then talk to them nicely rather than talking down at them. Be empathatic and let your child share his/her reasons for behaving a certain way.
Then explain to your child how their behaviour may have hurt someone else’s feelings.
Show respect to your child and your child will learn to do the same.
2. Respect
Children should not be taught to just respect elders. They should be taught to be respectful to everyone, even people younger than them.
Remind your child that all human beings regardless of age, race, social status, disability should be respected.
It is one of the most important thing to teach your child from all the list of values above.
By teaching your child respect that enable them to communicate their feelings effectively and take responsibility of their actions.
Teaching respect is also about teaching children to be a good listener. Giving others the chance to speak out and paying attention to what they are saying.
With children having devices at a young age, children should be taught to respect another person by looking them in the eye when they are speaking and not their devices.
Many times children do not understand that this simple gesture is a sign of respect. It is signalling to others that you care about what they have to say.
We must also let children know that respect cannot be forced. By modelling good behaviour only will they be able to earn the respect of others.
As parents we must also respect our children. Many times we go into the mode of yelling at our kids out of frustration.
By doing so we are not doing any good, rather disrespecting them.
Instead we should bend down to their level and speak to them about how we feel.
To teach respect we first need to stay calm and be in control of our own emotions.
Related : How to stop screaming at your kids and earn their respect
3. Patience
This is not something that comes naturally for children. It can even be very challenging to teach them the concept of patience.
However, it is important to teach children about patience as it will help them with self-control and how to stay calm.
One way to teach this to younger children is by not giving them what they want instantly.
For example, when giving a child a new toy, get them to unwrap it then throw all the wrappers in the dustbin. Once the mess is clear they can then play with the toy.
When going out shopping, ask your child to queue in line.
Teach your child different meditating and breathing techniques to help them stay calm.
This is useful when a child is feeling frustrated. Get them to be mindful about their feelings
Don’t forget Use the growth mindset kit below to help children recognize their potential
4. Self-confidence
This is one of the most important values to teach your child among all the list of values above.
A child with high-esteem will have better chances of being successful in life.
Let them know how much you value them and their opinion.
Be positive when you are with your child and encourage them to not be afraid to chase their dreams.
Encourage them write down their goals and also state some of the things they are too afraid to try.
You can use the growth mindset kit below to help boost your child’s confidence by reminding them how talented they are.
5. Love For Family
Family is important in shaping a child’s values. It nurtures their behavior and shapes their character.
It is important to teach children what it means to have a family and why it is important.
Using the activities below you can help children grow up to respect their family and love them unconditionally.
6. Honesty & trust
This is an important value to teach children.
Trust and honesty should be taught from a young age.
When your children have started speaking, start teaching them about the concept of truth.
For example, if your child said he has not had any candies during the day but you know he/she has had it, then tell them to be honest.
Then appreciate their honesty and reward them for it. Tell he/she how proud of you are of their behavior.
Model truth and honesty with your child. Do not lie to your child.
For example, many times we tell our child if they do something you want them to do you will reward them. But many times we do forget about the reward and tell them they will get it next time.
By doing that we are building wrong expectations for our child and we are telling them it is ok to lie.
Follow through any promises that you tell your child.
There are also books that you can teach children about honesty. For example “Tales of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter.
Dont forget….THE GROWTH MINDSET KIT aims at helping children realize how special they are
7. Compromising
Compromising is an important value to teach our child.
It is about letting them know that not everything will go according to their way.
This will prepare them for a future where they will need to learn to adjust and compromise on their plans.
It is an important skill that will teach them the importance to be flexible. They will use this skill when deciding on a career, marriage, job and many more.
8. Justice and fair
Encourage your child to speak up when they see someone is being treated unfairly.
This can even apply in the digital world. For example, if your child sees a friend being cyberbullied they need to be taught how to report that person and defend their friend.
Also, teach your child about treating everyone equally and fairly. Remind them no one should be discriminated and everyone has the same rights.
Other ways of teaching children the list of values above:
1. Be a good role model
Children learn by modeling their parents. If you want your child to have good values then you need to practice what you preach.
Show them how you incorporate those values into your daily lives and remind them why they are important.
2. Share your own experiences
Children can relate to stories. Talk to them about your own experiences.
For example, if you have faced bullying when growing up then share that experience with your child. Tell them how you stood up against those bullies or who helped you.
By sharing your own experience you are making the values relatable for your child. It will help them understand better why those values matter.
3. Reward
When you reward good behaviour, your reinforcing positive behaviour.
Come up with a system where you reward your child for doing a good deed.
Don’t forget to praise them for doing something nice.
Don’t forget to check out the Growth mindset activities kit
4. Regular communication
Talk to your child regularly and check in with their feelings.
Don’t just ask children “how was your day?” rather be specific about what you ask them.
For example, did anything happen today that made you upset? Was someone kind to you today? What made you laugh today? and more.
Related : Questions to ask your child instead of “how was your day?”
Use case studies with your child. For example, if you read something in the newspaper then ask your child about their opinion or what they may have done.
5. Finally, know what your child is doing on their devices.
Who your child follows on social media, Youtube channels they follow, News feed information they get, and social media apps they use may share their values.
It is possible that you spend 15 years shaping those values in them. But, a few hours on the internet may diminish all of that hard work if you are involved in their digital world.
Ensure that what they do online is age-appropriate. Show them positive things online and teach them how to use the internet responsibly.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the PERSONALISED growth-mindset kit you can use at home