Teaching Kids Moral Values.

By Manisha Ashok Karamchandani

We are living today in a very modern, technology driven and fast paced world. There are growths and advancements every day in many sectors in the society. But every day, in small or in big ways, we can see a huge decline the morals and values of the human race as a whole. Especially since the earlier months of the last year 2020, when the Corona pandemic spread across the globe and the world as we know it changed completely, we can see a huge rise in the crime cases everywhere around us. There is enough factual evidence and data to show us that the society as a whole is witnessing a huge increase in human beings being very rash, unkind, cruel, reckless and careless towards each other. The television news channels are since the very beginning of time filled with various kinds of information on instances of increasing crime rates day – by – day. In this age of the boom of technology, we can get any and all such types of news’ and information on our smart phones with the click of a few buttons within a few seconds itself.

The world and our society together as whole is in need of a lot of reforms and changes. There are many ways to tackle the highly prevailing injustices, crimes and so on. We all need to come together and work on all of this by realizing that we ourselves are the society instead of always playing the blame game and blaming each other, the politicians, the Governments and so on. While this all may sound very tough to actually implement and much easier said than done, one of the ways to bring about the much needed changes is to create awareness among the children and the youth of our society as they are the future of our country and of the world.

There are numerous ways to teach kids, adolescents and teenagers, young adults and the over all youth of our society about the different morals and values that will make them kind, decent and good human beings and in turn contribute to their good futures and to the good future of the society as whole. The first way to do so is to go by age old proverb, ‘Practice what you preach.’ Children without a doubt look up to the adults in their lives to learn things from them. These adults can be parents, teachers, family members, guardians and so on. Kids pick up on how to behave, talk, interact with their peers and others by observing these said adults of their lives. As a result, we must be very careful of the things, stories and narratives we tell the children in our lives because by each little and big thing we are shaping their minds, behaviors, attitudes, thought processes and so on. We must do all things and at all times be and behave with good intentions, kindness, decency, integrity and dignity so as to genuinely inspire the kids in our lives to embody the same behaviors as they grow up and to be the best version of themselves that they can be.

The other things that come to my mind when I think about the important things that need to be taught to our children of today are to get their voting IDs made as soon as they turn eighteen years of age and to actually use these IDs to vote in all the elections every time that they get a chance to do so. Children also need to be taught the value of hard work not only in just their academics but also in every aspect of their lives. Right from their childhoods, children must be exposed to and encouraged to take upon various different extra – curricular activities based on their respective personalities and interests. Creativity must be encouraged in children. Critical thinking is another much needed skill which must induced in children so that they can always think for their own selves and be able to question everything that they are told, taught and so on.

Activities like cooking, cleaning and contributing in house old chores and the importance of doing all these tasks in life must be taught to all the children irrespective of their genders. Children must be taught to be kind, compassionate and respectful towards all the other human beings irrespective of their age, gender, social class, economic background, caste, religion, political views, orientations and so on. Children must also be taught to extremely kind and compassionate towards all living beings such as animals, birds and especially stray animals. Children from a very small age must be very much discouraged from any and all acts of corruption starting with cheating and copying in their respective academic exams.

Children must be taught to speak up for and advocate for themselves and as well as for others when they are being subjected to something wrong, hurtful, disrespectful and so on. Self – defense is another very important survival skill in today’s world that needs to be taught to children and to the youth as early as possible. Children must be taught to be kind, compassionate and encompassing towards the weaker and backward sections of the society and the minorities and also towards all those who cannot advocate for their own selves.

Growing up, children must be taught the importance of real life skills as opposed to just academic skills. They must be taught the value and importance of extra - curricular activities and hobbies. They must be taught the importance of reading and writing and other life skills as well. Children must be taught he importance of education and literacy and as well as of vocational and non – academic skills.

Creativity, individuality and self - expression must be encouraged in children from a very early age. They must be taught to grow up and carve their very own niches. Children must be taught street smart skills, the importance of both hard work and smart work in life. They must encouraged to take up careers that they are passionate about and interested in and also which will help them live sustainable and fulfilling lives as adults.

Children must be encouraged to dare to dream and follow and pursue their dreams realistically and with dignity and integrity. Children must be taught to read newspapers from an early age because this will help them with their vocabulary building and also keep them updated and aware about the current affairs and on goings and happenings in the world around them. Children must be taught to be ethical not just in earning their respective livelihoods but also in every other area and aspect of their lives. They must be taught to be self - sufficient and financially independent in their lives as they grow up. Children must learn to never harm any other living being and to in turn be independent and self - sufficient enough to not be harmed by anyone else ever as well.

Adolescents and teenagers must be introduced to ideas of self – love, feminism, equality and having a healthy mental health. They must be taught about the advantages and disadvantages of technology and how to use it only for the advantages and good of themselves and others.

Children must be taught to be strong and resilient and to learn from their mistakes, weaknesses and shortcomings. They must be taught radical self – love and self – acceptance. At the same time, they must also be taught to accept, learn from and try to mend their mistakes.

They must be educated about issues like healthy grieving and coping mechanisms, human psychology, politics, legal duties and rights, responsible driving, illiteracy, injustices, prejudices; physical, mental, psychological and emotional abuse; sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, poverty, mental health problems, gender equality, sexism, double standards, addiction issues, bullying, cyber – bullying, reproductive rights, sex education, inclusion and rights of differently abled people, to stay away from substances like alcohol and so on and other myriad of prevalent social issues and problems which affect all of us every day in some way or the other. This all may sound very harsh and intense to be taught to children who are just growing up into teenagers and young adults. But creating awareness and knowledge about these issues and problems is the only way to have our youth turn into responsible people, adults and citizens with proper, right, fair and just perspectives and actions and doings.

I know that this all may sound a lot more easier said than done. But we all need to come together to teach our kids, children, adolescents and teenagers, young adults as many of these morals, values and principles that we can so that we can create a society of decent, responsible and kind people and citizens who are path – breakers and change makers who work for the upliftment and the betterment of each other and the society and the human race as a whole.

By Manisha Ashok Karamchandani