[ PARENTING ] your household and the way in which you wish to treat others. Some examples are respect, integrity, health,
The result is a child who understands that opinions
compassion, and listening.
are as numerous as there are people, but also a child who thinks critically and can enter into conversation
2. Turn kids into skillful conversationalists, not antagonists
with people of different opinions not as an antagonist
As difficult as it may be to accept other peoples’ point
but as an engaged and thoughtful conversationalist.
of view, the truth of the matter is that your children
What’s more, your child will gain confidence from this
will confront different points of view throughout their
newfound skill of expressing an opinion and defending
life. Rather than teaching them to pass judgment,
it logically.
this is a time when parents can teach their children the power of debate. Having a conversation in which
3. Hone their critical thinking, not their judgment
you ask “What are your arguments for or against this
We know from research that our emotions impact
policy or idea?” but also questions like “What would
how we see things, how we process the world and
your opponents strongest arguments be?” can help
what we remember. As a consequences, our views
your child begin to think for themselves and also to see
can be skewed. One of the most difficult things to
from another person’s perspective. You can also have
recognize is that we all make mistakes. You do, I do.
them join a debate club in school. Most importantly, by
We all sometimes fail to see things from an accurate
understanding that everyone has a different opinion,
perspective. We were in a bad mood or didn’t have all
your child will realize that his or her identity and value
the information and BOOM—we passed a judgement
does not depend on another person’s opinion.
on something we weren’t truly seeing for what it was.
MAY 2017 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 27