Teaching Right from Wrong: Forty Things you can do to Raise a Moral Child

Preface IntroductionFeelings: Emotions Are the Groundwork of Morality1. Tune In to Your Children's Feelings2. Talk About How You Think Others May Be Feeling3. Comment on Your Own Emotions4. Sing to and Hold Your Children5. Read Imaginative Stories to Your ChildrenReason: Feelings Need to Be Guided By Reason6. Give Reasons Why You Approve or Disapprove of Your Children's Behavior7. Provide Reasons for Rules You Want Your Children to Follow8. Encourage Your Children to Play with Children of Various Ages9. Engage Your Children in Reflective Discussions by Asking Open-Ended Questions10. Promote Independent ThinkingSelf-Esteem: Self-Respect Is a Prerequisite to Acting Morally11. Treat Your Children with Respect12. Express Interest in Your Children's Activities, Projects, and Dreams13. Help Set Goals and Encourage Your Children to See Them Through14. Praise a Task Well Done15. Give Your Children Emotional and Verbal Support to Stand Against the Crowd When NecessaryDiscipline: Behavior Has Consequences16. Be Flexible – Not Arbitrary – In Your Discipline17. Don't Use Intimidation; Never Use Ridicule18. The Severity of the Punishment Should Be Related to the Severity of the Wrongdoing19. Discipline with Explanations20. Criticize in PrivateHabits: Morality Is Learned Through Observation and Doing21. Provide Opportunities for Your Children to Help Others22. Give Positive Verbal and Nonverbal Feedback for Being a Good Person23. Work with Your Children in Community and Volunteer Service24. Expect and Encourage Good Deeds from Your Children25. Help Your Children Keep PromisesPrejudice: Treating All People Fairly Is Fundamental to Morality26. Examine Your Own Biases27. Provide Examples That Counteract Society's Prejudices28. Don't Allow Biased or Bigoted Comments to Go Unchallenged29. Give Your Children Books That Show Different Kinds of People Playing, Working, and Living Together30. Talk About Differences Between People, but Talk About Them NeutrallyValues: Some Values Are More Important Than Others31. Tell Your Children About the People You Admire and Why32. Live Your Life As You Want Your Children to Lead Theirs33. Show the Importance of Protecting the Vulnerable34. Comment on Compassionate Behavior – Let Your Children Know That Caring Is an Important Value35. Let Your Children Know What You Value and Why You Value ItCommunity: Morality Is Social36. Supervise Your Children's Television Viewing37. Get Involved with Your Children's Education38. Make Family Meals Important and Regular Occasions39. Make Time for Your Children40. Take an Interest in the World Outside Your HomeAfterwordSelected References