Values education begins early at home

Values education begins early at home. One tool mentioned by several families is the "three boxes." When a child is first given an allowance, he or she is asked to allocate the money into three boxes: one for spending, one for saving, and one for giving to others. This distinction is difficult for a young child to understand at first, but once learned, the principle will have lasting impact on his or her life.

— from Family & Parenting (Family/Parenting)

In the book

Be deliberate about whom you expose them to, because the people in a child's orbit shape them as much as anything you say; I was always careful about the friends I let mine keep. Teach them, above all, to be givers and not takers, and make it concrete rather than preached: when a child first earns an allowance, have them split it into three boxes — one to spend, one to save, one to give away — and do real charity together, as a family, so generosity becomes a habit instead of a sermon. Praise their effort and strategy rather than their cleverness, which raises a child who reaches for challenges instead of fearing them; and let them choose, because children free to pick their own interests are far likelier to find a lasting passion than those handed a track to run. — Family & Parenting (Family/Parenting)

Also belongs to

Related