Kids watch and do what they see you do

Developmental psychologists have always known children learn by imitating adults. Children learn by watching everyone around them, especially their parents. Therefore you must do the right things in front of your children. Teach them good manners and good coping strategies, by doing and acting rightly in their presence, and communicate with them when you do this, to let them realize the importance.

Expressing feelings properly; It is good for kids to learn how to say how they feel without being critical or making statements that will hurt someone in the process. This begins with you; don’t scream or shout uncontrollably, insulting or cursing. Remember they are watching and will do exactly as they have seen you do.

Greeting people; when you take them out and you greet the people you pass by, tell your children, “Greeting people you meet or pass by is important and can hardly be overstated”. Just by greeting a person in the morning, you can set the tone of the day for him or her.

Giving and sharing; when you give or share with their friends’ mum or their favourite aunt or uncle, point it out to them. Let them understand the value of giving and sharing with others.

Responding and Reacting appropriately; teach your children how to calm down when they are upset with people or frustrated or overwhelmed by situations like traffic, school work or house chores. You might say “I am angry and frustrated at the moment, help me calm down by counting down form ten to one”.