Guidelines for Character Training by Age
At 3 Years of age, children should understand:
1. Obedience
2. Respect
3. Good Manners
At 6 Years of age, children should understand:
1. Hard work
2. Initiative
3. Discipline (self) - Controlling their mind.
By 12 Years of age:
The child should be able to act like a little gentleman or lady and do the work of one also.
A word on Discipline: Self-discipline training begins in infancy. A child can be taught to cry quietly, not throw their food on the floor etc. There are two lessons that we have learned that have assisted us in teaching self-discipline.
Happy Button: The nose makes a perfect "happy button". We have used this on our toddler to induce a smile and good attitude. We help them to understand that they can use their "happy button" themselves, (and have self-discipline) or we can use parental disciple.
Tickle Test: This is a game used to teach self-discipline. The child holds their hands up behind their head, as dad tickles them. The object is to keep their elbows up and use self-discipline to resist wriggling away or bringing their arms down. If they are successful to keep their arms up, they receive a treat (this is what makes it worth it for the kids). This is used as an example to teach the child what self-discipline is, and how to resist Satan. They learn to “not let the devil get them down”. Then when a situation arises that they need self-discipline, the parent can remind them that this is a real life “tickle test” and they need to use their self-discipline, or someone else will have to discipline them.
1. Obedience
2. Respect
3. Good Manners
At 6 Years of age, children should understand:
1. Hard work
2. Initiative
3. Discipline (self) - Controlling their mind.
By 12 Years of age:
The child should be able to act like a little gentleman or lady and do the work of one also.
A word on Discipline: Self-discipline training begins in infancy. A child can be taught to cry quietly, not throw their food on the floor etc. There are two lessons that we have learned that have assisted us in teaching self-discipline.
Happy Button: The nose makes a perfect "happy button". We have used this on our toddler to induce a smile and good attitude. We help them to understand that they can use their "happy button" themselves, (and have self-discipline) or we can use parental disciple.
Tickle Test: This is a game used to teach self-discipline. The child holds their hands up behind their head, as dad tickles them. The object is to keep their elbows up and use self-discipline to resist wriggling away or bringing their arms down. If they are successful to keep their arms up, they receive a treat (this is what makes it worth it for the kids). This is used as an example to teach the child what self-discipline is, and how to resist Satan. They learn to “not let the devil get them down”. Then when a situation arises that they need self-discipline, the parent can remind them that this is a real life “tickle test” and they need to use their self-discipline, or someone else will have to discipline them.