Morality, character need larger role in education
- By Sheri Hansen
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 20, 2015
Desire to be entertained
Moreover, many forces in society that influence children and youth breed passivity and a desire to be entertained. This is the challenge of educating children in this century, regardless of where we live.
The manner in which educational processes are designed to release the potential latent in children, will determine, to a large extent, the future of today’s society and the world our children will inherit.
The education of children should enable them to recognize and develop their potential while fostering in them a desire and capacity to contribute to their community.
In fact, a child will not develop talents and capacities in isolation from others. Many of the problems we see in our society, whether at home or in society at large, comes from a lack of character education — teaching the habits of thought and deed in children based on core ethical values, such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, respect, justice and responsibility.
Through the development of core values, children form the attitudes and conduct that are the foundation of individual fulfillment and can contribute to the betterment of society.
The foundation of all other learning is the development of a sound character, therefore, it needs to be taught to children as early in their life as possible. It should start in the home, continue through the child’s schooling and be reinforced by societal institutions. Parents, teachers and the wider community must be trained in providing this fundamental form of education to the next generation.
Sheri Hansen is the co-founder of Character Education International (CEI). Her book “Conscious Parenting in China: A Selection of 99 Questions and Answers” is becoming available in Chinese as an ebook or paperback later this year. For more information, see http://charactereducationinternational.com
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