Today I have a guest post from the childcare experts at Kiddie Academy!

 

Character Ed: Teach Your Child Pride

There’s no better month than July to teach your child the meaning of pride.

As the entire country pauses to celebrate our nation’s history of independence, displays of national pride as quaint as a small-town parade or neighborhood cookout or as grand as a robust round of fireworks show children the same thing: we are proud to be an American.

Even very young children can grasp the concept of pride of the sort on full display during the Fourth of July. And that makes it a great example to use as you introduce your child to the idea and significance of being proud—of her community and herself.

Point out examples of (communal) pride. This will be easy to do if you celebrate the Fourth of July. Whether you saw a parade where members of a marching band proudly played their instruments or celebrated with neighbors in your backyard, you can explain that we feel pride in our heritage and that is why we celebrate this holiday as a community every year. You can also talk about other important ways of showing community pride, like participating in annual clean-up days.

Explain why it’s important to have pride in your community. Recognizing community pride is the first step to getting kids to internalize it. Ask your child to think about why we have community celebrations on the Fourth of July, or why we have community clean up days. Then, ask her to think about what it would be like if no one celebrated the fourth of July in your town, or if no one showed up to help clean your town’s streams on clean stream day.

Ask your child how he can show community pride. If he’s stuck, tell him that a gesture as small as waving a flag during a parade or as big as helping you pick up trash around the neighborhood both show community spirit and pride.

Draw comparisons between community pride and being proud of oneself. Explain that just as taking care of your community shows that you have pride in it, taking care of yourself is equally important and demonstrates pride in yourself. Explain that brushing your teeth, going to bed on time, and eating healthy are some ways your child can show her pride in herself. Ask her to suggest other ways she can show pride in herself.

Explain that you can be proud and humble at the same time. Remind your child that being proud doesn’t mean being boastful. Explain that showing what you can do is a better way to share with others your self-pride than to tell people about it.

Disclosure:  This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®.  The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs.  You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB for additional information.