Pamela Leong
Not too many years ago parents read to their children about the adventures of a variety of storybook characters, like "Goldilocks," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Little Red Riding Hood." These days, many children are unfamiliar with these once classic childhood tales which taught children in every town and countryside basic values and decision making skills they could use for today and in their later years.
One goal of parenting is to instill in children the importance of making good decisions.
One decisive tool that accomplishes this and has been handed down from family to family, is to read and share childhood stories. What adult doesn't remember The Princess and The Pea, The Emperor's Clothes, The Three Little Pigs, Chicken Little, William Tell, or The Little Engine That Could.
Parents might remember enjoying childhood stories in their youth, however they may not conscientiously realize that the actions of the imaginative characters may have aided their learning basic values and developing decision making skills. Children's literature can be an effective tool for teaching because it typically is easy to read, fun to listen to, and shares clear actions and consequences. When read over and over it can become well-learned in children's minds.
Many childhood stories not only help teach right from wrong, but they also provide ideas about everyday decisions and their consequences. When parents read their children favorite stories like: The Ants and The Grasshopper, The Little Red Hen, and The Three Little Kittens, over and over again, children hear in an indirect way (that is, not by lecturing) examples of decisions leading to pleasant rewards of further responsibility and bad decisions resulting in consequences that aren't what they expected or hoped for.
For example, in the Three Little Kittens, children learn that they can't have their reward (pie) if they don't take care of the things they have (mittens). However, if they do take care of the things they are given (wash their dirty mittens) then they will be entrusted with more responsibility (to catch the mouse).
By reading the story about The Ants and The Grasshopper, children learn that there is a time to play, a time to work, and, that one must look ahead to future consequences and not just rely on the pleasures of the present moment. (The ants worked hard all summer to bring in the food so they could eat in the winter that lay ahead, the grasshopper however played all summer long so he starved during the winter.)
Most parents today are very concerned about helping their children learn basic values and grow up to be responsible adults. They want their children to develop good character traits that come naturally by repeating good habits. One piece of this process can be achieved by reading stories that teach the right thing to do and the right motive for doing it.
The story about The Tortoise and The Hare, for example, illustrates to children that patience and perseverance are successful character traits to possess. Children learn that when tackling a project that may look enormous, it's best just to get started and take one step at a time and eventually it will be completed. They also learn that there is success in completing a difficult task, although it may take a bit longer for them than for someone else.
Making responsible decisions is a daily struggle. That's because decisions are made based on a variety of values, goals, needs and priorities. So it's necessary and very important during this time for parents to support and guide their children as they learn to develop and set clear standards of behavior. These standards then help children measure whether their decision is right or wrong, and whether it's in the best interest of the people the decision affects now or at some point in the future.
Making responsible decisions in today's society is tough. Sometimes it makes children very uncomfortable. For example: Should a child pick up the pop can their friend just threw on the ground? Should they study for their exam or go out with their friends? Should they clean up and apologize for thoughtlessly tracking mud into the house?
Many childhood stories can assist parents in teaching decision making concepts. The following popular childhood story, Pinocchio, illustrates what happens when various decisions are made, some decisions are rewarded, others reap a variety of negative consequences.
In his adventures, Pinocchio, Geppetto's "little wooden head", finds that some people exploit information for their own benefit. (The puppet master wants Pinocchio only for the money and fame he can bring, then locks him up.) By blindly taking the word of a stranger, Pinocchio also learns that you can get into trouble. (He believes another boy that Pleasure Island would be great fun, on the island he starts turning into a donkey.) In each situation Jiminy Cricket, tries hard to be Pinocchio's clear absolute standard of behavior. This is the role, parents need to play for their children.
While reading this story, parents can talk it over with their children, asking questions such as: How could Pinocchio have known whether or not the information he was given was trustworthy and dependable? The parent might look for ideas such as: Instead of making snap decisions he could first check out the information by going home and asking Geppetto; or, he could have asked and listened to his conscience -- Jiminy.
Parents can also share with their children a list of basic questions which could be asked before making important decisions, such as:
Parents can also instruct their children to realize that in the decision making process there are many sources that can cleverly dupe people by mixing enough truth with enough error so that it's hard to believe the truth they once learned.
Pinocchio learns that when he doesn't try to measure the information others have given him according to a clear standard, he continues to make one bad decision after another. He then is forced to face the consequences of chaos, violence, deceit, confusion, guilt and despair. After escaping Pleasure Island, he returns home but finds Geppetto gone. Pinocchio now realizes that all his wrong decisions may have cost him the only person he really knew and loved.
Finally, the story teaches how Pinocchio does indeed learn to make good, solid decisions. By using truthful and reliable facts, Pinocchio is protected from shame (no more long noses); he is provided with a sense of accomplishment (he becomes a real boy); he obtains a reputation of integrity and a "good name" (he is a hero); he is protected from ruined relationships (he doesn't lose Geppetto and Jiminy); and, he develops trusting relationships.
Children's literature is available as a springboard to assist parents in teaching children how to develop sound decision making skills. Stories abound for the youngest child to those in their teens. Used in creative ways, childhood stories are an effective supplement to help children learn the skills needed to make informed and responsible decisions.
Bennett, William J., The Book of Virtues.
Walt Disney's Pinocchio and
other childhood stories.
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