Title: Helping Children Build a Conscience
Headings: Helping Children Build a Conscience
Helping Children Build a Conscience
When Does One's Conscience Develop?
The Process of Identification
Instruction and Training
Interactions with the Environment
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Content: It might confuse, and certainly it does since it offers a double message, but children ultimately will do as you do. The main things to remember in regard to the process of identification is that you must spend adequate time with your child that is focused on enhancing your relationship, building good attachment, fostering a sense of belonging, and communicating love and caring. I can't emphasize this point enough. If you do not spend adequate quality time on a regular basis, you can almost predict that your child will have problems developing the capacity to empathize with others. If you ignore your child's emotional pain, they in turn will have difficulty in feeling remorse when they cause others pain. Further, your attempts at instruction and training (which we will review next) will not be as successful as you would hope. Keep in mind that children initially behave themselves and develop what's called pro-social behavior (helping behavior) because they care about what you think about them and how you feel about them. You know that you yourself are more likely to be able to sustain a caring relationship with someone who you feel respects and cares about you and has your best interest at heart. Instruction and Training
This is the nuts and bolts of developing a conscience that builds on the foundation of a good attachment. It is equally important.