Professor Li Mi Kim believes that before the age of 12, a parent’s words are like gold to a child. However, as they grow older, these words can become more pressuring. This reflects a change in how children perceive information as they start forming their individual identities and exploring the outside world.
Thus, there are four essential lessons to teach children early on to nurture their character, habits, and cognitive development.

Instill Self-Directed Learning
While learning may seem challenging for children, it is one of the easiest difficult things they can do. Learning demands diligence, but many things in life and work may not yield expected results, even with maximum effort.
Therefore, earnest learning becomes one of the clearest and most direct paths for children to improve themselves.
Children may find studying boring now, but it is a process of equipping their brains with knowledge. Each lesson and concept they absorb is like a building block for their foundation of knowledge. Thus, when children are adequately equipped with knowledge, they will be more confident when facing future challenges or making important decisions.
Parents can share stories about adults who continue to pursue education while working. These individuals seek career advancement and broaden their horizons.
Earnest learning becomes one of the most direct paths for children to improve themselves.
Health Comes First
Today’s children are overwhelmed by electronic devices and homework, leading to reduced outdoor playtime. As a result, video games are becoming more attractive, contributing to increasing obesity and myopia rates.
Therefore, remind your children that good health is more important than anything else. Encourage them to engage in outdoor activities, explore nature, and enjoy sports. These moments of joy will not only improve their physical health but also enhance their social skills and communication abilities.
Nowadays, optometry clinics are seeing younger patients, and the number of children visiting pediatric clinics is also rising.
This trend underscores the importance of teaching children about health from an early age. Help them develop healthy habits and control their screen time.
Make physical activity a fun part of their daily lives. Simple activities like walking, cycling, or playing sports contribute to a healthier and more dynamic future generation.
Health comes first.
Honesty and Reliability
The renowned writer Lu Xun once said, “The most important quality of a great character is sincerity.” Sincerity is the foundation of trust, which is essential in any relationship, be it with family, friends, or colleagues.
This also shows that an honest and reliable person will be held in higher regard in society. Breaking promises for personal gain will damage one’s reputation and affect future relationships.
Parents can teach children honesty in their daily lives. For instance, when at the supermarket or waiting for the bus, remind them to stand in line patiently. When facing an unfair situation, guide them to respond politely but firmly.
More importantly, parents should lead by example. Keeping promises, no matter how small, creates a safe and trustworthy environment, fostering positive mental health and confidence in children.
Honesty and reliability.
Embrace New Learning
For children, learning is the top priority. While some may argue that hard work does not always lead to significant success, lacking a solid educational foundation makes the path to success more challenging and obstacle-ridden. Knowledge and skills are essential tools for unlocking future opportunities.
Therefore, learning should be a child’s foremost priority. When children work hard at learning, they accumulate knowledge and develop valuable skills for both academia and daily life. This empowers them with the energy and confidence to pursue their passions and hobbies.
A high capacity for learning enables children to acquire knowledge quickly, encouraging exploration and creativity. With a good education, children can become scientists, artists, or entrepreneurs, leveraging their knowledge and skills. Moreover, learning fosters positive social relationships.
Embrace new learning.