NITAAI-Veda.nyf > Spiritual Questions & Answers > Swami QnA 2007 > Teaching children |
Title: Teaching children
User: Swami Gaurangapada Date: 2007-03-13 14:57:09
Q. I would like to know
about the best ways to teach the dharma to my child, she knows that saying the
mantras make me smile and happy, she wants to hear stories about krishna and
his pasttimes, but what books are good for her 4 year old mind?how do i
introduce her to it best? i know that setting the example , as chlidren learn
buy there parents example.
she likes going to visit
the local temples, watching the what she calls the temple movie "a
ramayana cartoon" , and likes her temple toy , a jungle book toy a of
a indian girl doll with a pottu mark on it.
she wants me to read
books on krishna and rama instead of about mundane storys for children.i think
she feel the passion i have when reading them and my bordem at reading about
monsters inc. and toy story.
of course i tell her i
dont like reading them i want to read about krishna instead she says"
oh read them they are better."
please give me good
examples and advice about teaching her about the dharma,also about behavior
control as i do not spank or give strange punishments as they are useless and
cruel.
i know her age is a
factor but she is unusually demanding and attention getting in public and at
friends homes when its meal time.many of these behaviors are mine as nothing
she does bothers me as i remember being her age and i know the feelings she
has.
i also know if she takes
after me seh will read about religion profusely at a young age(i started at 7
read books on paranormal, psychics, and the brotherhood of the rosey cross,
norse religion by 9 yrs i was into political science and nationalist books by
14 reading about masons and kabbalistic symbolism and druids ), but all the knowlage
of scripture will not build love of krishna.
Answer by Swami
Gaurangapada:
I would request the
householder devotees to help in this regard about inculcating spiritual values
to his daughter.
Yes, one should make her
chant and sing the Holy Names as much as possible even trickily and tell her
interesting stories of baby Gauranga and baby Krishna from Chaitanya Bhagavata,
Chaitanya Mangala and Shrimad Bhagavatam.
Some interesting verses
from Chanakya Pandita which were quoted by Shrila Prabhupada are as follows:
Niti Sastra
lalayet panca-varsani
dasa-varsani tadayet
prapte tu sodase varse
putram mitra-vad acaret
One should fondle one's
child up to the point of five years old. Thereafter one should be strict and
correct the child for the next ten years. But when one's child reaches the age
of sixteen one should act as a friend towards him.
(Canakya Pandita)
Niti Sastra
lalane bahavo dosas
tadane bahavo gunah
tasmat putram ca sisyam
ca
tadayen na tu lalayet
Leniency encourages bad
qualities in a child or student, and strictness helps develop good qualities.
Therefore, a parent or teacher should not pamper a child or student but be
strict and correct them. (Canakya Pandita)
Yours in service, Swami
Gaurangapada.