Developing Training for Children

Hi all,

I've been thinking about the topic of developing training/lessons for children quite a bit recently, as my spouse and I plan on starting a family some time soon. I think one of the most important things we can do for our children is to foster their emotional and mental growth.

So I wonder: what would you include in a training curriculum for children? Something that reflects the values of Jediism but for a younger crowd. This can include exercises, reading (or stories), projects - whatever you think would benefit!

I'm particularly interested in appropriate lessons for different age groups. I think learning can and should begin early. So this could be anything from teaching a toddler all the way to pre-teen.

I know some of you here are already parents and have commented on instructing your children, so I'd love to hear more about that. Equally welcome thoughts non-parents may have on the subject!

What do you think? Any curriculum recommendations?

Truthfully?

The best Training Curriculum is by Observing you and your examples.

I used to think the same way "Im going to create a full lesson plan for my kids!"

Then I had kids....

I find they learn best by watching you....not you telling them how to do it.

Be the best example you can be and let them figure it out on their own time

I don't have kids yet, but when I think back to what my parent's did to 'teach' me here's what I think about.

1) Exactly what Trisskar said. They led by example. My father worked hard (three jobs at one point) but then quit to follow his dream. My parent's weren't right for each other so they split up rather than suffer together. They also admitted when they were wrong. Not all the time, but a lot.
2) Choosing what we watched on TV. I'm not talking about censoring violence, profanity, or nudity (I saw Blade in theaters at age 6. Just before I went to my first KISS concert and I turned out just fine...ish... :woohoo: ) but about showing us shows with good moral lessons. One of my biggest influences was M*A*S*H* a show I still watch in it's entirety about once a year. I still learn from it. The original series of Star Trek, Star Wars, stuff like that. My dad also use to use bad horror movies as training videos. "Now what did they do wrong there?" lol
3) Encouraging us to chase after what we really wanted. Now I've recently come to question that one a little, but when I think back I know that they did. My father use to change the class schedule at his martial arts school every year to accommodate my sister's dance classes. Partly so that she wouldn't miss either, and partly so that he could spend time with her when neither had classes.

Again, not a parent, just a proud child.

Goken wrote: 2) Choosing what we watched on TV. I'm not talking about censoring violence, profanity, or nudity (I saw Blade in theaters at age 6. Just before I went to my first KISS concert and I turned out just fine...ish... :woohoo: ) but about showing us shows with good moral lessons. One of my biggest influences was M*A*S*H* a show I still watch in it's entirety about once a year. I still learn from it. The original series of Star Trek, Star Wars, stuff like that. My dad also use to use bad horror movies as training videos. "Now what did they do wrong there?" lol

And there are so many good one's out there these days!! Back when i was a kid....cartoons were just fun. Now a days you can find them filled full of moral concepts.

My daughters soon to be 5 (july) and 6 (April) Watch:

Sophia (Moral/Social Manners & Politeness/Etiquette)
&
Lion Guard ( Morals - Political Correctness (Which I don't like as much but they are kids and don't understand that part so much) - Friendship/Teamwork/Problem Solving/Duty)

Those two alone cover a huge portion of Jedi Ethics In my opinion.

I won't teach them Jedi....If they want to learn Jediism they can do so when they are old enough to say "Hey I want to learn this"

I will however be as good of a Jedi Example as I can be and encourage them to focus on age appropriate education that fits them. Kindergarten! Dun Dun Dun!

Thanks for the replies so far!

Regarding books, I think one story that I would add to my "curriculum" for a younger child is The Velveteen Rabbit. I think I saw a quote recently in Cabur Senaar's journal from the story which I feel really speaks to aspects of our belief system and growing as a person as a whole:

Not too sure what the appropriate age to introduce this book... maybe reading it to the child when they are around 4 or 6?

While I loved the movie and the book.....I do have to say in all the kind motherly tone I can muster.....Good luck getting them to sit through three pages of it! :laugh:

Every kid is different

I used to dream of that perfect parenting routine where you sit and read a book to your lovelies before bed....

At least with MY Daughters....That dream was crashed rather early on in their lives. Even at this age (5 and 6 years old) They would MUCH rather do their own thing than listen to mommy and daddy rambling on and on about some book

But hey! Maybe it will work for you Good luck! Velvatine Rabbit was great!.....I didn't read or understand it until I was well into my teens though.

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