Teaching kids about life

"Family Learning: How to help your children succeed in school by learning at home" by William F. Russell. 1997. First World Learning Systems, Inc., St. Charles, Illinois.

This book talks about all the ways that a parent can help their child learn at home. There is a chapter on character building that I find interesting because, although it doesn't talk about saving the environment and being environmentally informed, it does talk about self improvement and how to encourage 'good' behaviour in children. Since a large part of my problem is about changing behaviours, I thought that this was relevant.

Russell believes that the media gives kids ideas that:
- Happiness comes from owning things
- Get all you can for yourself and get it quickly
- Win at all costs
- Violence is entertaining
- Seek pleasure and avoid boredom

A story he mentions is King Solomon, who had 'everything' (money, power, etc.) and wasn't happy at all. Similar characters I remember: Mr. Rochester in "Jane Eyre," King Midas, etc.

What will bring happiness (says Russell) is beliefs and behaviours that are universal.

Scouts have 12 virtues that they try to instill:
- Trustworthy
- Loyal
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Courteous
- Kind
- Obedient
- Cheerful
- Thrifty
- Brave
- Clean
- Reverent

Heroes can be confused with celebrities these days. But celebrities aren't good heroes. They don't encourage good behaviour. Kids need heroes and they need stories to reinforce virtues.

Stories give something for a child to remember. Heart and mind. Everyone enjoys stories because they are entertaining and teach without seeming to teach. Heroes are people who are extraordinary, because doing the right thing is difficult and therefore, rare.