Civilized Kids are Happier Kids

this was taken from Glenn Doman newsletter

I find it quite true for our current society... I guess... I got to play a role in upbring my son to be a more civilized :)


Civilized Kids are Happier Kids
Do you sometimes feel that the social graces that you and I were taught to value are disappearing?
Salespeople are often rude, or what is worse, apathetic. Teenagers often don't look at you when they speak and they mumble incomprehensible answers when they do. Little children are less and less welcome in restaurants and stores, but when you see how badly behaved some little kids are you can understand why. We are on the verge of creating an anti-kid society, thanks to a whole generation that has paid little or no attention to kids' social growth.
There are many courses of action for mothers who understand the importance of social growth. Here are some examples:

1) Teach your child how to greet a friend or acquaintance. It takes brief but frequent practice at home to elevate the cursory "Hi" to such greetings as "Good Morning" or "Good Evening."


2) Allow your child to rehearse greeting others at home. Pretend you are grandmother, teacher or neighbor, and allow them to rehearse speaking loudly enough to be heard and looking directly at you. Simple rehearsal makes this comfortable and easy for any child to do.

3) Demonstrate to your child how not to greet someone. Try whispering while frowning and looking at the floor to show your child the effect of such a greeting. He'll get the point right away. Then rehearse the proper greeting once more.

4) Create simple scripts for your child to follow when answering the phone or the front door. When others phone your home, it will be such a delight to hear your child say, for example, "Good afternoon. This is the Anderson residence. May I help you?" Equally pleasant is the gracious three-year-old who greets guests at the door with "Good evening. Welcome to our home. Please come in." Kids have a way of adding just the right touch of warmth and elegance.

5) When your child is attending a formal occasion such as a wedding, concert or party, create for your child a homemade book on what may occur during the course of the function so he knows what to expect. Telling your child what kind of conduct is appropriate at a function will help prepare him for it and make the experience go much more smoothly.

A social growth program deserves the same planning and organization that one would devote to intellectual and social growth. As with so many areas of development, social maturity does not need to happen by accident, but rather in a purposeful and joyous fashion.
The world has already given us the "Me Generation." Now we are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on the "How-May-I-Help-You Generation." We don't have a moment to lose.


"Civilized behavior is learned at home from mother and father, so this is the best place to practice proper conduct."
From The Pathway to Wellness