| Teaching your child the importance of saying hello will | | | | out ... to the grocery store ... the zoo ... the park ... |
| help them learn to get to know and acknowledge | | | | walking, just about any place we went, we played the |
| people. But in our society today, people aren't saying, | | | | game. |
| "hello" anymore. | | | | Here's how the game works. The challenge: "Who Will |
| Today, more than ever, everywhere you look or read | | | | Know The First Person You See." Start by pointing out |
| there is something about the "danger with strangers." | | | | to your children the why/how you know someone. |
| It's taught to your child in school, it's preached in | | | | Whether at the grocery store, restaurant or other |
| churches, and parenting classes. But, are we instilling | | | | place, someone is always there assisting or serving |
| fear into our children rather than promoting confidence. | | | | you. You say, "Hello" and explain who this person is |
| And, at the same time are we instilling fear into | | | | and how you know them. It could be a parent of one |
| ourselves as parents and turning into a society of | | | | of their friends. Your children will catch on and they will |
| becoming fearful of knowing each other? | | | | want to be saying, "hello" first. You'll find that your |
| What's the end-result? The neighborhood block parties | | | | children don't like losing the game if you are the first to |
| are disappearing and our children play with video | | | | say, "hello," most of the time. |
| games instead of playing with their friends a few | | | | By setting an example and teaching the value of |
| blocks away. Have you ever noticed if you go out and | | | | saying, "hello" will help your children throughout their |
| just say, "Hello" to people you get some very strange | | | | lives. It's up to you, the parent. Getting your child to |
| looks? Some people actually turn their heads. How | | | | know the people who they meet every day, and |
| many best friends does your child have today? Do | | | | treating them as if they truly matter in the big scheme |
| you remember how many classmates you knew | | | | of things. Saying hello builds the foundation for your |
| growing up? | | | | child to learn how to welcome people, old and new. |
| How can we take this fear, turn the fear into | | | | You can start with just a few things and then build |
| confidence, and at the same time teach our children | | | | upon them: Challenge your children to know the names |
| the importance of getting to know and acknowledge | | | | of all the kids in their class and what grade they're in. |
| people? | | | | Take the time to wave to your neighbors as you ride |
| Over the years my children and I developed and | | | | your bike, walk the neighborhood, or drive off to the |
| played a game and it's called "Who Knows The Most | | | | grocery store. Set the example and teach the value of |
| People." We played the game every time we went | | | | "Hello. |