10 Things to Teach Your Child Before They Turn 10 for Comprehensive Development

As parents, you hold the responsibility of nurturing the future of your child. Every parent desires to raise a child with kindness, good morals, empathy, and courage. But these qualities don’t come naturally. Children need to be educated and parents are the shining examples for children to follow. These are the crucial factors that help your child develop holistically and broaden their future.

Below is a list of 10 important things you need to teach your child before they reach the age of 10.

Always respect friends and people around

To teach your child how to respect friends and people around, parents need to be positive role models by showing respect to everyone in every situation, from direct communication to daily actions.

Parents need to teach their children the value of listening and understanding different perspectives, using culturally appropriate language and avoiding hurting others with their words. Encourage your child to share and support their friends, while emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and equality. Teaching your child gratitude and empathy towards others are also important lessons in fostering respect.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

You should make your child understand that making mistakes is natural for everyone and most importantly, they should learn from those mistakes. Creating a safe space where children can practice and make mistakes without fear of judgment is essential.

When your child makes a mistake, maintain composure and see it as an opportunity for learning, rather than a time for criticism. Encourage your child to self-assess and find ways to rectify their mistakes. And finally, teach your child that acknowledging and correcting their own mistakes is a valuable quality.

Knowledge is more important than scores

You need to teach your child that learning is not confined to achieving high scores in exams, but rather to enhance knowledge and develop the necessary skills for understanding the world.

Encourage your child to explore and raise questions about topics they are interested in, instead of solely focusing on cramming knowledge to pass exams. Engage in conversations with your child about how to apply what they have learned in real life and explain that scores are just a small part of the learning process, whereas mastering the knowledge and applying it in specific situations is what truly matters.

Your child can share anything with you

You can tell your child the following: “Dear, whatever you are thinking or feeling, you can open up to us, your parents. We are here to listen to you, whether you are happy or sad, worried or facing any other issues. When you share, we will solve everything together, and you will never have to bear everything alone.”

Learn to protect themselves

Prepare your child with the necessary tools and important information so that they can confidently handle difficult situations. Teach them how to recognize danger and the safe courses of action when facing risks or threats. Learning some basic self-defense skills can be helpful in this regard. Furthermore, encourage your child to build self-esteem and the ability to protect themselves when necessary, and teach them how to seek help from adults if they feel any danger.

Ask questions when they don’t understand

Support your child’s curiosity and encourage them to explore boldly. Create a safe space for your child to feel comfortable admitting what they don’t know. When your child asks anything, listen attentively and respond patiently and comprehensively to encourage their spirit of inquiry. You should also teach your child how to ask clear and purposeful questions and encourage them to seek information from books or other sources on their own.

Learn how to say “no”

Guide your child to have a clear understanding of their personal rights and how to establish boundaries with others. Discuss with your child the meaning of personal decisions and the importance of the word “no” as a means to protect their rights. Organize role-playing exercises to enable children to practice polite and assertive ways of saying no. You should also lead by example by appearing as a role model in politely and confidently refusing in everyday life.

Appreciate their own health

Be a role model for your child by maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, balanced diet, and sufficient sleep. Educate your child about the value of health and its impact on all aspects of life. Encourage your child to engage in physical activities, instruct them on how to listen to signals from their bodies, and recognize when it’s necessary to take a break. Additionally, teach your child about maintaining mental well-being, learning how to relax and manage stress is also necessary.

Learning is a long journey, don’t lose hope

Show your child the importance of patience and hard work. Tell them stories of people who have achieved success by never giving up on their educational goals, even in the face of obstacles.

Educate your child that each failure is an opportunity for learning and development. Set specific educational goals with your child for both the short-term and long-term, and remember to praise every progress, no matter how small, to encourage your child’s continuous effort. Nurture independence and the ability to self-education in your child, as well as guide them on time management and prioritizing learning so that they don’t feel pressured or lost in their learning journey.

Parents always support all decisions of their child

You can convey your emotions and support by saying, “Darling, whatever decision you are facing, remember that your parents are here to support you. We have great trust in your abilities and choices. Stay confident in yourself, and know that no matter what you do, our love and support for you will never change.”