What is obedience? Dictionary definitions are okay, but we like to be more specific with our children. That’s why our preschool curriculum breaks it down to simple basics. You’ll find tons of practical ideas to teach obedience in the Mom’s Guide.
We teach that obedience is “doing what is expected of me cheerfully, immediately, and thoroughly.” Kids can get their minds around that, even little kids.
Have you ever told your child to do something, then been dissatisfied with the results even though he did as you asked? Sometimes compliance isn’t obedience.
You ask your child to pick up the back yard. He says “OK,” but half an hour later he’s just getting started. If you intended it to be done right when you asked him to do it, he hasn’t obeyed—even though he would protest his innocence if you brought it up.
Or maybe he gets right to work, but you notice he’s slamming gates and throwing things around in frustration because he’d rather be playing in his tree-house right now. He’s not obeying with the right attitude, so he’s not obeying in his heart.
Or perhaps he jumps right in without any complaining and knocks the job out in record time. Great—but you notice he’s missed a few toys that should have been put away, or carelessly stashed things in the garage rather than making sure everything is in the place where it belongs
He hasn’t obeyed in any of these cases. Obedience is doing what’s expected of me cheerfully, immediately and thoroughly. Do your kids understand this?
~Rick
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I wanted you to know how much your preschool character curriculum has meant to our family. We have a 6 year old and a 3 year old, and though I feel as if I should have started teaching this earlier, I know that its never too late to begin. We have been so blessed to have clear definitions and guidelines, with concrete examples for each character quality. The children have been able to understand what the character qualities are and see them in Biblical and historical figures as well as in children their own age. As we close our year with this wonderful character curriculum, I am looking forward to restarting in the fall, pulling in pieces and parts I wasn’t able to include this year. Thank you for your dedication and persistence throughout many years of leading your own children and passing on your God-given wisdom to other parents. God bless.
I even need some training with obeying with cheerfulness.