If you want to teach your child about values, then teaching truthfulness to kids is a great place to start.

As a parent or a role model to a child, you are a primary guide. By teaching your child to be kind and honest they are learning about the importance of truthfulness.

Teach Tact

It’s important to let them know there’s a difference between being brutally honest and speaking the truth kindly and tactfully.

Teaching your child to be kind and considerate is of utmost importance.

While teaching truthfulness to your child, it’s crucial to help them understand that while honesty isn’t always necessary, being truthful and kind is a value you uphold.

As my mum used to say, ‘If you can’t say anything kind, it’s best not to say anything at all’.

Check out this TikTok video to share with your child; it’s a teacher who teaches kindness and lets children know about the power of words.

Remember, truthfulness is the cornerstone of trust.

By being honest with your child, you instil this value in them and show them the wisdom in your words, making them more likely to seek your advice.

Educating

When your child is young and has immunisation needles, be truthful and let them know the needle may sting.

You can’t teach truthfulness to kids and not be truthful about difficult situations. They’re bound to pull you up on it.

Like a bee, I used to make a buzzing sound, and the sting was swift and disappeared as quickly as the sound created.

If you need to take your child to an emergency department, let them know that doctors and nurses are there to help them feel better.

Explain that the nurse or doctor may want to do some tests; some may cause pain, while others don’t.

Such as having to stand on a scale to see how much medicine they need to take or putting something on their finger or toe to help the nurse know what’s happening with their body.

Prepare your child by letting them know they need to stand on some scales, so if they need medicine, the nurse should know how much medicine their body will need.

You can also explain that the scale is just a tool to help the nurse, and it won’t hurt them.

Prepare

Remember, the more your child understands what could or will happen, the less scared they will be.

So be truthful with your kids and prepare them – it’s a teaching moment.

This preparation is a powerful tool in your parenting arsenal, instilling confidence in you and your child.

The more they comprehend, the more accepting and cooperative they are.

The fear of the unknown scares a lot of people, including children.

Additionally, when children know what to expect, they feel confident because they know the situation.

Optimistic children are curious and may ask questions. Scared children do not.

Strive to set your child up, regardless of any situation, by sharing with them what to expect, even if it’s a little scary.

Most people feel a little scared if feeling sick. We all know our body is not acting ‘right’, and sometimes we don’t know how to make it feel better.

Just reassuring them that you know where to go for that help and reminding them that you’re in this together helps.