“Parent-child relationships are the most powerful contributor to a child’s moral and ethical development and are the foundation for how he will interact with others in his life.” (Harvard University via Parents as Teachers)
Young children learn values long before they can explain them. They watch how we treat others, repeat what we say, and take in everything happening around them. Because of this, our everyday actions become their lessons.
Teaching Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of fairness, courage, and compassion doesn’t have to wait until kids are older. Mindful parenting gives us practical ways to weave these values into daily life at home, in moments that naturally come up. The real secret to making values stick is being intentional and doing it often.
According to Parents as Teachers, “When parents are intentional about teaching values, they will have more success fostering their child’s character development. Parents do this when they make an effort to talk specifically about values with their child and explain why they are important. For example, when children hear words like “responsibility,” “caring,” “sharing,” “respect,” and “honesty” on a frequent basis, they will begin to understand their meanings and importance.”
Try these simple, kid-friendly ways to teach each value:
1. Caring
Help your child take the perspective of someone else.
Ask, “How do you think your sister felt when that happened?”
“What could we do to help her feel better?”
2. Fairness
Play a simple game, like matching cards or rolling dice and talk about the rules.
“We all follow the same rules.”
“Fair means everyone gets a turn.”
3. Honesty
Praise truth-telling, even when it’s hard.
“Thank you for telling me the truth. That was brave.”
4. Responsibility
Give small, doable jobs: feeding a pet, putting laundry in the basket, carrying their dishes to the sink. (“When these kinds of routine actions are simply expected and not rewarded, they’re more likely to become ingrained in everyday actions.” (Harvard University)
“This is your job. I trust you with it.”
5. Respect
Model respectful words and tone.
“We listen when someone is talking.”
“We use gentle hands and kind voices.”
Repeat these words, point out these moments, and connect their actions back to the value. Over time, kids don’t just learn about values…they learn to live them.
Bringing MLK’s Values Home
The big ideas Dr. King stood for, fairness, kindness, courage, inclusion, start with small actions. When we model these values, our children absorb them. When we name them, they understand them. And when we practice them together, they become part of who our children are becoming.
Every day offers a chance to raise thoughtful, caring, brave kids who help make the world a little more just.
Sources:
Harvard University’s Making Caring Common Project
Parents as Teachers
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| About the Author:
Heather Sakai has been a member of the Bright Beginnings team since early 2022, serving as the Social Media and Family Engagement Coordinator. She holds a Master of Science in Social Service Administration and a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. Heather brings experience in social work and mood disorders research, marketing and social media, as well as dance instruction for children and adults in both the United States and abroad. Passionate about connecting people through social media, Heather strives to make it a safe space to ask questions, be vulnerable, and share successes and struggles. She is also the administrator of Cuyahoga Parents Connect and warmly invites you to join if you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to kindergarten, or if you are expecting a child.
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