In Dr. Schwartz’s April column, he discusses the 10 qualities of “great kids.” Here’s one quality that kids need to develop in order to lead a happy, healthy life while being able to face the challenges of the 21st century. Come back tomorrow for another “great kid” quality!
Moral Integrity (a matter of the heart): Our moral integrity is a sense of ethics and a moral compass that guides us through all areas of our lives. Great kids not only know what is right from wrong, they care about what is right.
Greenspan tells us that our children learn about ethics and morality and develop an inner compass not from what we tell them but from how we treat them. Treating children with empathy and respect gives them a model to copy and is much more meaningful in the development of a moral compass than any words we may use.
Paul Schwartz, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. He is available for group speaking engagements. He can be reached at editor@excitingread.com.