What are the first things you teach your child?

@rinaaus (1201)
Australia
April 17, 2008 1:35am CST
My husband talked to me last night. The first things I have to teach my son is swimming, ride a bicycle, respect and discipline. That's all the first things I have to teach my little son (8 months). We have already taken swimming lessons. And you?
7 responses
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I would teach my child how to love and respect also. I would also teach them manners and what it means to do the right things and be good to one another. I would also teach them to be able to count on me and vice versa.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
17 Apr 08
I have 6 children, the youngest is now 17 months. I never really thought about what order I put things in as I taught them. So many of the basics were just part of everyday life from the time they were born. I talked to them about everything so they learned the names of things, their body parts, colors, counting...just too much to really name , before they turned two years old. Manners were also something else that were just there for them to learn. My 17 month old already says please and thank you (not necessary at the right times but he knows that they are supposed to be said). Respect seemed to go along with manners. As for fun stuff...the traditional 2nd birthday present is their first bycycle or tricycle.. We start them bowling on a bumper league as soon as they seem ready...this past year we started actually started the now almost 3 year old just because he seemed plenty ready. The season is already over and he had a 65 average. We let them be kids and explore to find their own interests.
@plumwish07 (4057)
• Indonesia
17 Apr 08
if i have child later on, the first thing that i should teach to my child is about respect, appreciate and dicipline before he able to learn many things. in my opinion, at this moment, respect and dicipline being less in children manner. no, i don't want to be arrogant parents for this matter but it will be good if our children able to have respect and dicipline. what do you think, dear?
@gratitude (181)
• South Africa
17 Apr 08
Yes your first and utmost importance is to 'waterproof' your child. Depends where u live in the world. Here in South Africa, kids swim at least 8 months of the year. Your baby is far to young to learn much just yet. Discipline he will automatically learn as he gets older - by the two of you saying no - stop it - and finding a way to make him understand you mean what you say. Respect - when he is old enough to understand what respect is...
17 Apr 08
Well the first thing I always teach my children are manners, when they are able to speak i always like them to say please and thankyou, I also am teaching my children the importance of sharing and being nice with each other and their peers. I think respect and self respect are terribly important and these are the qualities i want to my children before anything else physical.
@alexpan (37)
• China
17 Apr 08
u are a good mom.i want to teach my kid so many things that i don't know how i start with. i think the firt things we should teach our child are not disciplins and respect,cause that will spoil our kids selfdeveloping capacity .i will tesch my kid how to love,smile,and observe the things.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
17 Apr 08
My younger son is almost 17 months now...and I think discipline is the first thing I will teach him along with respect. All the rest I will go along with his wishes and everything else will fall into place. I did the same with my older son and he's a good guy:)