Developing Judgment and Thoughtfulness

Developing Judgment and Thoughtfulness


Judgment on ethical issues is a practical matter. Children
develop their capacity for judging what is a responsible act,
just as they come to appreciate the meaning of responsibility,
through practice. Especially when they are young, children need
to see moral questions in terms that are meaningful to them.

We can also help our children develop good judgment by
talking through complicated situations with them. One way is to
help them understand the long-term consequences of different
choices. If they tell us about a story they have read, we might
ask them to imagine what the result might have been if a
favorite character had acted differently.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to know the difference
between acting bravely and acting recklessly or how to balance
duties when they conflict. As parents, we can help by making it
clear, through what we do as well as what we say, that it is
important in such situations to think carefully and honestly
about what should be done, as well as to keep in mind how
others will be affected by what we do.

Your child's ability to reason about different issues,
including ethical ones, will improve as your child matures.
Just as reasoning can lead to a more thoughtful understanding
of responsibility, or what actions to take in complicated
situations, it may also become easier to rationalize selfish or
reckless behavior. But if you have helped your young child
develop strong habits of considering the welfare of others,
honesty, courage, and admiration for worthy accomplishments,
your child will have a solid foundation on which to build.