In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
-Matthew 7:12 (christian Bible)
The Golden Rule is a concept that is common to almost all mainstream religions. From Chirstianity, to Islam to Judaism and Buddhism. The Golden Rule (simply put) states, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Or simply, “Treat others as you would want to be treated”. It’s the perfect “Golden Rule” for kids.
And weirdly, kids, even though they don’t want boundaries, they do want boundaries. Her anxiety goes down, her stress level goes down when she just understands the rules. And they’re not even your rules, we call them the house rules.
–Actor Channing Tatum in an interview about being a single parent
Many households have house rules. Much like setting a routine, setting rules helps children learn boundaries and right from wrong. I find using the Golden Rule for toddlers will help them to understand not only right behavior but hopefully the reason behind it.
“Try to teach your child the moral behind why she should or shouldn’t do something. Not just because she’ll get punished or that she’ll get a reward. Teach her empathy,” my brother advised me recently.
Funnily enough I was drafting this post thinking about that very concept.
Substitute Teaching Using the Golden Rule for Kids
I was a substitute teacher for several years and for three different school districts. And as a substitute teacher, classroom management is everything. It was important to establish the classroom rules first thing in the morning. Rules are important because they set expectations for proper behavior.
Children will have no idea they did something wrong if you don’t tell them.
It was very interesting and educational going into so many different schools and classrooms. Some classrooms literally had no class rules posted. Although some had a long list. Still other classes had a short list.
For myself, I would bring in my own list written out on my own pasteboard. The most important rule I could establish for behavior was the Golden Rule.
Using the Golden Rule for Kids
The Golden Rule encompasses basically every rule all in one. For instance, think of rules such as “No hitting” or “No stealing” or “No destroying someone else’s lego castle”. All of these rules fall under the Golden Rule.
The other day my daughter tried to take home the Kid’s Club Attendant’s toy computer. However, she did not understand what stealing was and that that was what she was doing. I had to explain to her that taking someone else’s property was called “stealing” and it was wrong. Also, I showed her a few Youtube cartoons on stealing so she could further understand the concept.
To really help her understand I asked her, “Would you like it if someone just took something of yours home without asking you?”. This really made her think and I think she understood why it was not only “illegal” but also morally “wrong”.
We would all be better off if we all lived by the Golden Rule. Hopefully, as our children grow up, they learn this concept in their heart not just their head. And hopefully their world is more loving, compassionate and empathetic then ever.
As always, Remember 2 Savor these moments!
