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Six
Important Qualities
“The most
important qualities in a good parent have nothing to do
with the ability to provide state-of-art toys or having a
Ph.D. in child psychology. The qualities of good
parenting do not depend on income level or educational
status. Thy are within the reach of every caring
individual.” (Mitchell and Conn. The Power of Positive
Parenting. 1989. WYNWOOD Press. New York, NY.)
Every caring
individual has the qualities to help raise a child.
Remember the old saying that states it takes a village to
raise one child? The statement is true even today. No
one person can effectively raise a child. Parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers and friends
all have an effect on the development of a growing child.
Thus, we each should take an interest in each and every
child that we meet.
 According
to the book The Power of Positive Parenting, there are six
important qualities that a person should have when helping
to raise a child. First, those in the child raising
business should have patience. Without this quality, one
is not going to have many positive days when spent with
children. Children who learn in a patient environment
will also learn to achieve this quality. After all, we do
develop based on our life experiences.
Secondly, we in
the childcare business need to have acceptance. We are
going to be presented with children with different
cultures, ethnicities and family structures. Unless you
only accept children from a particular group (for example,
you run a Christian center), then you are going to have to
learn to put your opinions aside and be accepting of all
children regardless of whether or not you agree with
parental decisions. Children and parents need to be able
to feel comfortable in your presence and at the center.
If you have problems with a specific group of people it is
best to present this up front to those who are considering
your center. Otherwise, it is unfair to the child, the
family and to you.
Thirdly, anyone
working with children need to have respect. Each and
every person who walks into the center needs to be treated
with respect. Everyone is important and should feel this
way in your presence.
Fourth, a good
childcare provider should have the ability to encourage
all children to do their personal best. A good teacher
believes all children can learn. Children who feel
successful are more likely to be successful. When a child
is struggling, the child needs to know that his or her
teacher believes that he or she can accomplish the
difficult task. If you don’t believe the child can do it,
then chances are the child believes the same thing as you.
 Fifth,
nobility in teachers and parents helps a child to develop
a sense of self-worth. A teacher should be the “knight in
shining armor” to help a child be successful in learning,
making friends and being themselves. Stripping a child
of his or her dreams in not what a teacher should do.
And lastly, a
good teacher should be truthful. This is a hard quality
to have at times. Sometimes telling a child the truth can
hurt their feelings or make them not have a healthy
self-image. However, being truthful with a child shows
sincerity. It also expresses the importance of this
quality to the child. How can adults expect children not
to lie, if we do? Telling a child the truth is
important. We should never lie to children. When dealing
with sensitive subjects we should be diplomatic and
sincere, but we should be respectful enough of the
individual not to lie.
Childcare
providers and teachers are often placed on pedestals. We
are often though of as sub human at times because we are
expected to be the people that are admired. Yes, we
teachers do make mistakes. Yes, sometimes we do fall off
of our pedestals. But, what is important to remember is
that tomorrow is a new day and we need to get back up on
our pedestals and make a difference in a child’s life.
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