THE GOLDEN RULE TRULY IS GOLDEN
The Golden Rule is a tradition in faiths both East and West. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus called it the second great Commandment “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Bible King James Version
It is important that children are taught the Golden Rule whether their family follows a faith or not, for it is the foundation of learning to get along with others whether they are friends, classmates, neighbors or even strangers.
Other faiths proclaim the Golden Rule in similar terms:
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- Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow-man.”
- Islam: “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
- Confucianism: “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.”
- Buddhism: “Do not hurt others in ways you yourself would find hurtful.”
- Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”
- Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do nothing to others that would cause you pain if done to you.”
- Baha’i: “Blessed is he who prefers his brother to himself.”
- The following books might be helpful to you as you introduce this concept to your children and can be found at Amazon.com:
The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper
6-9 years (Amazon)
Berenstain Bears by Jan and Stan Berenstain
The Golden Rule by Annie Stewart Lambert
Other books which may be helpful in imparting values to your children:
A Call to Character by Marian Wright Edelman
Teaching Your Children Values by Linda and Richard Eyre
CHILDREN NEED HEROES
Children must have heroes, not the super heroes like Batman, Spiderman, or Wonderwoman, but real heroes like George Washington who demonstrated amazing persistence as he lost battle after battle before finally defeating the British redcoats. Or Harriet Tubman who showed tremendous courage as she helped many slaves find freedom. And think of dear Helen Keller who needed to have a great deal of faith and trust in her beloved mentor, Anne Sullivan, as she guided Helen to learn to speak and “see” through her sense of touch.
There are many books and stories available about real life heroes that you and your child can enjoy together that will expose them to men and women who have demonstrated great character and virtue, helping children to learn right from wrong and inspiring them to form their own moral values.
The following books and others can be found at Amazon or other book stores.
Books by Augusta Stevenson for 8-12 year olds
Clara Barton
Abe Lincoln
Wilbur and Orville Wright
Sitting Bull
Other Books for 8-12 year olds
Sacajawea Wilderness Guide by Kate Jassem
Who Was Fredrick Douglass? by April Jones Prince
Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Mother Teresa by Jennifer A. Miller
COMPASSION AND KINDNESS
Compassion is understood as a deep empathy and concern for others who are in need and the desire to help them.
How to Help Grow These Virtues in Children
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- Consider reading or telling the Bible story of The Good Samaritan to older children.
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- Arrange for your family to assist in serving meals to those in need at their local food pantry or by donating food items. This might be done at an especially meaningful time such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, creating an annual event and special memories for the family.
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- Perhaps your child can visit an animal shelter bringing old towels or other items that would be useful there; call the shelter to find out what is needed.
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- Do you have elderly neighbors who could use help with household chores or watering their lawn?
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- Encourage your child to spend time on the school playground with someone who looks lonesome and in need of a friend.
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- Keep the neighborhood environment beautiful by planting trees or picking up trash in the area.
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- Help your child place a bird feeder in the yard and maintain it throughout the year.
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- Ask children for their ideas of how to show kindness and compassion.