Post by Skylar: Moral Development

Children develop a moral sense all through their childhood. When they learn good and bad consequences, they start to understand that some things are not acceptable as other things are admirable. It is hard to pin down the exact years in which an individual's moral sense develops. But as they start understanding the boundaries and then start to test them, they do begin to understand there is right and wrong. No one necessarily has to tell them everything good and bad, they start to understand and figure it out on their own.

But how do we teach these little ones the humane ways of life? We certainly can’t and shouldn’t go through every circumstance with them and tell them what they should do. They need to go through experiences where they have to make decisions. But is there a lasting principle we can leave with them that they will think about in a moral choice?

            The most ingrained principles are often taught through example (Sears, 2011). Not that we shouldn’t try to teach them openly, but some things are more accepted by observing rather than being commanded to do so.It would be unrealistic for us to expect our children to be honest if we do not exemplify that in our actions. That’s not to say they can’t learn moral qualities from others, but parents often have a huge influence. If we want our kids to not yell at their siblings, we should lower our voices as well. Children observe much more than we often realize (Hinckley, 2007). They will copy our behaviors and say the things we say. Being the example you want your kids to be is perhaps the most effective way to teach moral development.

Research based knowledge show that children with higher moral values tend to have parents that also have these qualities (Walker, 2012):

-       High educational goals

-       Greater desire to help others

-       Volunteering

-       Sense of social responsibility

-       Religious

-       High ideals

            At some point the youthfulness in cognitive development to blame for some actions. But we can teach them along the way. When they make a mistake, talk them through it. Make the mistake an opportunity to teach. Get to the core principles and not just the actions. The principles will stay with them so much longer than any specific situation will (Sears, 2011).

            What’s more effective than being an example is learning personally. Many good parents have children who make big mistakes. But it is often those mistakes that create a stronger resolve to go forward in life versus not making any (Walker, 2012). It’s scary to think about just letting a child start making their own decisions, but trusting them to do it is a key part in permanent moral development.

           

References:

Hinckley, G. (2007). These, our little ones. Ensign. Retrieved from http://www.lds.org/liahona/2007/12/these-our-little-ones?lang=eng&query=influence+example

Sears, D. (2011). 8 Ways to raise a moral child. Ask Dr. Sears. Retrieved from http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior/morals-manners/8-ways-raise-moral-child

Walker, L. (2012). Moral Development. BYU, SFL 333, Spring 2012.