What is the most important thing to teach a child

#1

Children will encounter and absorb many things in their lives. You can expect them to learn a great deal of important things on their own accord, but some things must be taught-- either by chance or design, something special must occur to help this child become a better human being.

What should it be? What is the most important lesson a child should learn, but risks passing up? What is the best principle you can pass along to give this child a better chance at a healthy and happy life?

I am not seeking humor here (lord knows we get enough of that in other threads) but, instead, your honest opinions. But I’m not looking for a checklist of commandments… I want you to express what you think is the singular most important thing a child should learn.

…

So far, personally, I am leaning toward “to never abuse power”. Benevolence is a trait that marks the best people. People must be trustworthy when they’re put in charge. It’s what socipathic machiavellians fail to grasp-- it’s a trait that separates family you hope to visit and family you dread asking you for money.

Now for your thoughts?

#2

Don’t be a douchebag.

#3

this graph is something I learned from a book at a very early age and it still helps me in life to this day, 10/10 would recommend

#4

Which is basically what Tiki said.

The most important lesson I was ever taught, by my father, as a child was to never live so that you will fear death. Over time, I really began to understand that, and it means this:

Never live dishonorably, causing pain to others that you wouldn’t want to happen to you. Honor your standing in other peoples eyes, regardless of what your own opinion of yourself is. Don’t take hate too much to heart, as only the people who don’t hurt you are speaking the truth. Don’t pass up decisions and actions on the basis of fear; you never know when one of the things you should have done may haunt you for years to come because you were too afraid to just do it.

To tack onto the lesson, my father also added this:

No matter what you do in your life, who you love, who you hate, what your career is, don’t make it something you will regret until the day you die. Regret will only make death that much darker, and therefore, cause that much more fear.

He told me that 13 years ago as of last week, and I’ve slowly learned the meaning of that lesson over that time. I doubt I’m nearly finished, I’m sure the whole lesson will be complete when I’m dying. It’s definitely something I will tell my kids, should I ever have any. If it’s not my kids, I would gladly teach my friends kids, or any nieces or nephews I have.

#5

“No matter how bad things get, how hopeless things seem, as long as you don’t stop fighting you can still pull through”

Though everything else in the thread so far is equally valid.

#6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNYFAzh8-A

#7

Beat them regularly to instill a fear of authority. When they are older they will be less likely to commit crimes due to their association of violence with authority figures

#8

i was never beaten and im intimidated by authority figures anyway

#9

These are, imo, the most important lessons for a full and happy life:

  1. Love yourself (confidence without arrogance)
  2. The Golden Rule (empathy without dependency)
  3. Live in the moment (peace of mind without indifference)

also:
positive reinforcement >> negative reinforcement (rewarding behaviour over punishing behaviour)

#10

Learn as much as you can, and don’t let anyone stifle your creativity.

#11

Fuck authority, fight da powah.

#12

AFAIK this has never been proven conclusively.

I agree with the rest of your post, though.

#13

I think neither one is effective without the other. You can’t beat someone and instill hate and fear and expect the best, just like you can’t spoil and reward someone and expect the best. Everything in moderation, and definitely never too extreme for rewards or punishments, that’s my view.

#14

Maybe not, but it just makes sense to me :stuck_out_tongue:

#15

School is important but don’t become depressed over it.

#16

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but, people will never forget how you made them feel.

#17

Fear and intimidation with one child may be a great tactic for them, whereas fear and intimidation with another could be absolutely the worst.

So basically I would say that what is more important is that a parent needs to remember to adjust to each child.

#18

If I ever have kids - I’d tell them to always be kind and respect life. But alway stand up to bullies. Because you’ll get more than you know in your life.

#19

I find it interesting that no one has mentioned honesty.

#20

I kinda implied that with the living honorably bit in mine.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.