How To Teach Children To Be Humble
Raising a child is not just about offering them food, security and love. It is also the responsibility of parents to transmit values to their children and guide them to be better people. Teaching children to be humble will ensure a happier life and better social relationships.
Superb and arrogant people waste their energy feeling and showing themselves superior to the rest of the people. This attitude is incompatible with a harmonious existence and generally distances others. On the contrary, a humble person is someone we all want to be around. They are tolerant, understanding and able to learn from their mistakes.
If you want your children to belong to the second group, you need to work on developing humility from their earliest years of life. The values that are acquired in childhood can remain and accompany us throughout life. Teaching children to be humble therefore means giving them a gift that they will enjoy forever.
What is humility really?
To be able to instill this wonderful and necessary value in our children, we need to be clear about what it consists of. Humility is a human virtue which consists in being able to recognize one’s limitations. Believing, therefore, not to be above anyone. There are certain behaviors that denote humility in a person:
- She accepts her limitations and is willing to continually learn.
- He understands that we are all human and, therefore, that we are all wrong. Thanks to this, he does not belittle anyone or brag about his achievements.
- Treat life in all its forms with respect and dignity.
- He is able to ask for help when he needs it and to apologize when he has done wrong.
How to bend humility to children?
The little ones do not yet count on such cognitive development to understand such an abstract concept starting from a definition. Following that, the best thing we can do is to include it in everyday life. By observing concrete conduct, it will be much easier for children to internalize this value.
Teach children to be humble with everyday examples
- Failing or failing the test to join a team are times when the child will be aware of his or her limitations. We need to normalize the idea that no one is perfect, that we are not all good at the same things and that we can work to improve. We don’t have to focus on how to overcome those around us, but to overcome ourselves.
- When the reverse occurs, let us help them be understanding with those who have not achieved the same results as themselves. If in a football match the opposing team loses, we show the children that it is not okay to make fun of it, but to adopt a sporty and friendly attitude.
- If at school they know children who come from other countries, with some functional disability or who for whatever reason are “different”, let’s take the opportunity to teach them values such as tolerance and diversity. Let us not waste the opportunity to explain to them that all human beings deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and that no one is superior to another.
- We accustom our children to contact with nature, so that they can appreciate and develop respect for all living beings. We teach them to keep natural spaces clean and to take care of life in all its forms: from flowers to insects or elephants. Their lives are equally important.
- We set an example for children by admitting our mistakes and apologizing when we make mistakes. In this way they will see it as a natural act and include it in the repertoire of their behaviors. Likewise, we remind them that asking for help is fine and good.
Why teach children to be humble?
Contrary to what many think, humility is not synonymous with submission or weakness. A humble child is capable of appreciating his strengths and recognizing his limitations without feeling inferior. He is able to respect others without ever ceasing to respect himself.
A humble child will be a happy child who does not need to be perfect to know he is worth. Just as he will not expect perfection from others, he will be able to tolerate frustration, adapt to change and face adversity in order to learn. He will enjoy healthy and sincere social relationships, but above all he will establish a healthy relationship with himself, loving and accepting himself as he is.
