Kim Frencken: Teaching right from wrong

How will kids learn right from wrong if we don't teach them? How will they learn to be accountable adults? How will they learn to be responsible? If they are not taught, they will not learn.

Kids learn by watching and doing. They imitate what they see at home. They imitate their parent's reactions using words their parents use. If we are trying to break negative cycles (i.e. poverty or abuse) we have to model the behaviors that we expect them to use.
Sounds like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, right? In plain English: If we expect our students to become responsible and accountable we have to show them how.

If we want them to be productive, we have to model productivity and expect them to be productive classroom members. If we want them to treat others with respect and consideration, then we have to be modeling those traits. If we want them to take pride in their accomplishments, we have to expect them to do their best.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Kids today are growing up with video games and television as an after-school program. They are learning from what they see and hear. They are absorbing the fairytale world of Hollywood and expecting it to be their reality. Why shouldn't everyone like them? Why shouldn't they always make a top score?

Today kids are growing up with an attitude of entitlement. They are being taught that someone owes them something. We play right into this mindset with our 'everyone wins attitude' and 'let's reward good behavior' programs. Parents have a tremendous responsibility beyond giving birth.

It isn't the schools job to teach your child right from wrong. To teach your child how to behave in public. How to treat others. These are things that they should have been taught before starting school. School is a place where the things they have learned (hopefully) are reinforced and practiced. Parenting doesn't stop when they drop their kids off at school. Parenting enters a new season. Parents and teachers become partners to help the child continue to grow socially and academically. Teachers are not super-heroes who can magically change 4 or 5 years of bad behavior without the support of the home.

Raising a child takes years. In fact, it never stops.

(For more of Kim Frencken's writing and information about her educational products, check out her blog, Chocolate For the Teacher.)