Johann Christoph Arnold the author of Their Name is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World, states that “They (children) are born givers, not takers.  They are born teachers, if we are wise enough to hear the truths they bring.  In the midst of our complex adult lives, we must take the time to take in the lessons that only children can teach.”

And he goes on to say, “Children can be amazingly strong-willed, as anyone with a  two-year-old has experienced.  To hold out firmly and consistently is often exasperating.  It is easier to let things slide. Yet anyone who prefers comfort to the effort of demanding obedience will find that, in the long run, the problem will grow bigger and bigger.”

Richard Wareham, a training coach for student teachers and a counselor for parents, believed children should be taught six simple values that will help them all through life.

Infants: No & Come – NO means no argument, no nagging, no alternative, and no nonsense.  Adults need to stand their ground.  That also goes for the word come.  Children need to understand that come is an important starting point.

Toddlers: Listen & Quiet – Full attention is what adults need to cultivate.  To develop this skill, adults need to get down on their knees and look toddlers in their eyes and talk to them face to face and not try to yell at them from across the room.  Young children need to experience times of quiet, and the satisfactions of being occupied, alone.  This is of special importance for very active children.  Try using Lego’s and puzzles.  Start with two or three minutes and try to work up to five or ten.

Preschoolers: Wait & Care – There are so many things we have to wait for in life that we need to teach young children techniques to help them to wait peacefully.  Start with fingerplays or silly song, then have them practice saying their ABC’s and counting to themselves silently.  But the most important value to teach is caring.  Adults need to help young children to be responsible in everything they do.  Children must learn to take care of themselves by not doing things which are dangerous.  They must learn to take care of their friends by respecting them and not doing things that might hurt others.  And finally they must learn take care of the things in their home and school by not destroying them.

For each and every child the most important gift an adult can give them is the feeling that they are truly loved.  This sense of security is the greatest value adults can provide.

Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul. 

(Friedrich Froebel)

To receive a free copy of Their Name is Today (normally $14.00) and to fully appreciate Johann Christoph Arnold’s approach please contact Leo Zimmerman at Community Playthings at 1-800-777-4244 and tell him that Dr. Joyce Gerber from Teaching with Heart told you to call.