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Every person in the world is a teacher.
Even you. Did you know that?


Evcru dcu we teach each other
how to do things. And we learn
from each other too-even if
we don't clwcus know it.


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When we watch someone, and cop~ the things thcu do,
we are learning from their example.

If we cop~ people who set a good example,
b~ behaving well and treating others with kindness,
that is how we will learn to behave.
8


And if we cop!:)people who
behave bcdlu , and treat others unkindlu,

that is how we will learn to behave, too.
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~~---------------

The best wa!:J to set a good example is to treat others
the wa!:J !:JOUwant them to treat !:JOU
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...and to take care of !Jour fornilu, !Jour friends, and
!Jour horne in the wa!J !:J ou would like others to
take care of them.
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Some people set good examples
for us all In the work that
they do.

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But all of us can find wa~s to set
a good example ever~ duu.

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You can set a good example b~ scuinq "please" and
"thank uou," never making fun of others, and offering to help ...

or b~ protecting those who are smaller or weaker than
~ou, and helping to keep things clean and neat.
14


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You can help b!J corruinq the hccvu things,
not throwing garbage on the ground, congratulating
the winning team, or reading to a sick friend.

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Can 90U think of some people who do jobs that set a good

example

for us all? Can 90U think of some wa9s 90ur parent

set a good example

to follow? Can 90U think of some

wa9s that 90U might set a good example?

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· t about taking care
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of others, though.

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You can also set
a good example b!:J
taking good care of qourself
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Nobodu's

perfect all the time.

We all make mistakes and
ever!] once in a while we all do
things and sa!] things that aren't ver~ nice.
18


When that happens, mying ~
"I'm sorr!:J"-and
meaning it bu
not repeating what !:JOUdid-is
another wa!:J to set a good
example.


Sometimes !:JOU might wonder whq

it is important to set a good example,
especicllq when !:Jail see other
people who never do.

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You might also wonder if the wa!:] one
person acts can rccllu make a difference.
Lots of adults wonder this too.

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think of some times when

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have seen

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other people setting. a poor exam.ple? What

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Everu person on earth has a choice about how theu
behave and how thcu treat others.

B!:)setting a good example, and doing !:)our best, !:)ou are
teaching other people to act the same wa!:).
22


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And if those
people cop~ ~ou,
then ever~one theu
know will also learn
this important lesson.
23

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When ever!:]one tries their best to behave well,

it makes our families, our classrooms, and our
communities nicer places to be.


It makes working and plcuinq together easier
and more enjO!:J able.
25


Most people who choose to be kind
and polite to others want to make
the world a better place.


HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
It has been said that there are only three things a
parent

welcome"

responsible, well-mannered

children: Example,

example,

actions like picking up toys, table manners,

the example set by those who raise them. So, as a first
what kind of example we


wont to set, what qualities we would like our children
to have when they grow up, and examimng
parents and caregivers

can communicate

how we as

these values.

Consider how you can model courtesy-those
of consideration

small acts

you. Simple good examples

any parent

or caregiver

can

set involve: using kind words, helping when you can,
sharing, listening to what others have to say, being
honest and truthful, thinking
practicing
thinking


good manners,

controlling

the

carrying

saw how well you got along with everyone
than constontlu

a sick friend, or if we work on a community

project,

Young

our reasoning

words" such as "please"

Gradually

28

approach.

children are old enough

the consequences


of breaking

them when theq
well.
to understand

rules and

those rules. When defining

what is and isn't acceptable

behavior,

parents and

teachers alike can help by setting fair rules with clear
explanations

for why these have been set.

You can't clwcus get it right. We all lose our tempers,

This
and

Start with the

and "thank


you."

odd more examples such as "you're

SOH!:)

for, or are not always as kind as

where you need to, and move on with a view to
how gou might act differently next time. Set
on example

of admitting

and improving

to be helpful

in the community.

relate our activities to their own behavior.
Try taking a step-by-step

reprimanding

are not behoving

about whet you are doing and why. If we toke soup to


can help our children understand

at sports

dog, well done" will send a more positive message

we would like to be. Admit your failures, apologize

often have no ideo why we do what we do, so talk

explain why you think it's important

the door for that woman

all those heavy bags was very polite" or "I

soy things we're

provide context where you can. Childr n

and/ or take some responsibility

your children when they

your temper,

principles of fairness at home and at work.

"magic


to compliment

behove well. Saying "Holding

before you speak and act,

about the feelings of others, and applying

In addition,

Remember

that show respect for the child, from

which the child learns to give that courtesy back to

looking

after siblings, taking care of pets, etc.

example. Who children becom.e is deeply influenced by
step, it's worth considering

and "pardon me?" and "mm] 1. .. ?"

As children get a little older, you can work on

needs to know about raising considerate,

gour own failings


gour own behavior

child will be encouraged

to do the same.

Schools provide ample opportunities
practice

and your

for children to

a whole range of skills. Setting a good example

can be found in citizenship lessons which emphasize
importance

of recognizing

differences between
providing

the

similarities as w II as valuing

people, helping one another,


and

service to the larger school comrnunitu.


BOOKS TO READ
I'll Do It!: Learning About Responsibility
Moses (Wa!:)land, 1998)

Where the Wild Things Are

Brion

Maurice

Teaching Citizenship Through Traditional Tales
Sue Ellis, Deirdre Grogan (Scholastic, 2003)

Wh9 Should I Share?

The Bad Good Manners Book

Wh9 Should I Recqcle?
Jen Green (Barron's, 2005)

Babette

Cole (Harnish

Hamilton


Ltd, 1995)

Claire

Sendak

Llewellun

(Harper

Collins,

(Barron's,

1988)

2005)

The Children's Book of Heroes
William

J. Bennett

(Simon

& Schuster,

1997)


RESOURCES
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Character-Building
Stories to Read with Kids
Jock Canfield (HGI, 2007)

FOR ADULTS
Teaching Your Children Values
Lind and Richard

Eure (Fireside,

1993)

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen
So Kids Will Talk (How to Help Your Child)
Adele Faber,

Eluin Mazlish

(Picccdillu

Press Ltd, 2001)

29


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