7 Values to Instill in Your Child by the Age of 10

We want our children to have particular values. But how are we going to teach them? Here are experts’ advise as to how and what essential values you need to instill to your child as they grow up.

As their children develop and discover the world around them, parents always strive to instill big-picture ideas in them. While teaching principles like honesty or respect to a young child may seem onerous, you can gradually convey these lessons through modest but focused moments.

Here are some typical values that many parents strive for and how experts advocate approaching each of them with your child before they reach the age of ten.

1. Sincerity

When it comes to values, children often learn through their experiences. Your best strategy for establishing a truthful disposition in your child is to model honesty as much as possible.

Nothing compares to the importance of modeling. If kids observe a parent dealing with people honestly and decently, that is the best lesson you can teach them.

Children absorb your behaviors like a sponge, even at a young age, so every white lie told in confidence can foster a lack of honesty. While stating the truth might occasionally lead to awkward circumstances or conversations, this component of the lesson is part of teaching your child this value—honesty isn’t always simple, but it’s worth the effort.

Lying is a typical technique for young children, particularly toddlers, to evade punishment for behavior they know is wrong. It’s critical to handle these conversations calmly, providing them the chance to be truthful after telling a lie. Even if they admit to their wrongdoing, you can still encourage this value by verbally thanking them for their honesty, even if you must punish them for their acts.

2. Responsibility

Accountability for one’s conduct is an essential virtue for a child to acquire since it establishes the standard for how they should behave in everyday life.

Parents have an unspoken agreement with their children on their behavior. Youngsters must understand that there will be consequences if they break the rules.

Accountability has its roots in the parent-child connection. Still, its actual test begins at school age when children must accept responsibility for their behavior without the constant guidance of a parent. When this transition occurs, teaching values becomes more complicated than simply establishing expectations of good and wrong.

Simple educational values are insufficient. More critical than imparting values individually is teaching children how to problem-solve following their principles.

Moral reasoning, or what to do when confronted with an ethical quandary that violates your family’s ideals, can be complex for younger children to grasp. Understanding the reasons behind your child’s values, on the other hand, helps hold them accountable when faced with peer pressure and increasingly complex difficulties as they progress into grade school and beyond.

3. Inventiveness

Many parents will verify that their children begin asking significant “why” inquiries around the Age of four. Some are as simple as “Why is the sky blue?” Toddlers can quickly become philosophical, asking questions like, “Why do people dislike each other?”

Feeding that curiosity is a critical component of fully comprehending values. We explain the terminology, but they already have these queries. We’re just giving them a place to do it with others and assisting them in becoming better at [considering these questions].

Don’t feel obligated to have the solutions, and even if you believe you do, don’t be too eager to provide them. If we can let go of our authority and adviser roles for a while and become co-inquirers with them, it adds a whole new depth to your relationship.

Curiosity may teach you and your child a lot because you can offer an opinion based on your life experience, while they can see things more openly and imaginatively.

4. Be respectful

Respect is a significant value to instill in your child when entering the classroom. It applies to simple duties like waiting for one’s turn to speak and more complicated notions like understanding world views that differ from their own.

A discussion began when the subject “What do we think happens when we die?” was raised in a fourth-grade class. Some students held solid religious ideas, others held atheistic beliefs, and many were undecided but willing to investigate options.

They could speak with one another. “Everyone has their way of perceiving stuff, and it’s interesting to hear how other people see it,’ many individuals said.”

Respect in these philosophical discussions in the classroom and beyond can have far-reaching consequences in real-world applications as a child matures. All parents want their children to have certain beliefs, but it is equally crucial for children to learn to accept people who perceive the world differently.

There are various opposing points of view in the world, all of which have excellent reasons and are valuable. Our children must understand that you can have a strong opinion while accepting that someone else may see things differently and that their perspective may be relevant.

5. Compassion

The ability of a youngster to comprehend and connect with the feelings of another person helps lay the groundwork for successful relationships throughout their lives, which is why empathy is frequently seen as a fundamental virtue in families.

Because it provides a social setting for a kid to creatively explore their sense of self and how they connect with others, playtime can be an excellent chance for teaching a range of values. A parent can instill vital lessons in an approachable, low-stakes manner by approaching these more complex subjects in a joyful context.

Empathy becomes increasingly vital when a youngster grows older and establishes friends. This value contributes to dispute resolution by allowing you to see another person’s side of an issue and find a solution. Children, in particular, can understand the power in their actions when they do something nice for someone else. 

Empathy can be instilled with a sense of positive purpose as a parent, whether through acts of service or interactions with your child.

6. Persistence

Many people mistake determination with boldness, a trait reserved for the extroverted and adventurous. In actuality, this characteristic instills in children the ability to face problems with the decision to do their absolute best, even if they are afraid or intimidated.

Experts argue that a helicopter parent is one of the most significant impediments to a child’s determination. When you do everything possible to help your child succeed, you unknowingly sacrifice the lessons they can learn when they fail. 

Determination flourishes in the aftermath of failures because it allows youngsters to take ownership of their actions and develop the grit to succeed.

A sense of self in which you are responsible for your actions and believe you are capable of success is essential for success in life. If you think you can only do it if your parents do it, you will be disappointed later.

While failure breeds resolve, it is critical to balance discipline and praise while instilling this trait. While not every attempt is worthy of praise, those who have space for development can benefit from continued encouragement, even in the form of polite critique.

7. Communicate Openly

One of the most crucial principles you can instill in your family as a parent is open communication. It enables a child to openly communicate their interests, needs, and concerns while developing strong ties with you as a parent.

There has always been this mutual regard and transparency between us during all those early chats we had, even during those difficult adolescent years.

Even if a child is quiet, emphasizing effective communication at home can help them succeed in elementary school and beyond. 

An introverted personality is not always a bad thing, but as a parent, you should look at ways for your child to convey their needs in their unique style. Whether checking in after school to see how their day went or participating in a subject that interests them, there’s always a way to connect.

When the child is in preschool, it’s critical to conduct a reality check to determine whether their lack of socialization is genuinely a hindrance. If not, let the child feel shy; it’s okay.

Teachers can provide insight into your child’s academic and social triumphs and failings. Contact them, especially during parent-teacher conferences, if you are concerned about your child’s ability to communicate outside your family bubble.

Most significantly, good family communication includes giving children the opportunity to evaluate what is important to them. It can also help you discuss your shared values and, as a result, ensure that they are maintained throughout their lives.

Helpful related articles: Teaching Values in a Fun Way, How To Teach Teenagers To Manage Their Time, As A Family, Consider Doing Good Deeds Together