When we scrutinize these two behaviors, present wrapping and bike riding which are learnt by almost all Americans we will get some very surprising details on the success of the teaching methods we choose for educating the children.

Your children may not have  beeen able to learn riding the bike, if they fell initially and came running to you to get a shouting at them for falling off the bicycle. If you told them that you were very disappointed with the child’s failure, took the bike from them, put them in their room for a few weeks and made them think on ways to learn to ride a bike. This method of teaching will not have a society where just some people amongst thousands don’t know how to ride a bike. 

What is the reason which makes us believe that in order to teach responsibility to children we need to scold, ground them and not even give them any future opportunity to become responsible by making them go to their room. We need to put them back ‘on the seat’. Isn’t it better to pick them and pat them with instructions as well as encourage them to become more responsible? This is the moment you can give them a chance to become more responsible. When a child who is cruel to other child has to be given training in kindness as well as back-up that we trust his kind nature, and give him an opportunity to be kind immediately.

Now, we can have a look at gift exchanging and present wrapping during Christmas. How is it that we are so triumphant in teaching this very complicated but a superb act of kindness, love, sharing and joy to our children? The reasons why we are successful at it are almost the same as teaching children to ride a bike, let them learn by experience. Much before the kid is able to understand what is happening around him, we start giving them presents to know about gifts. This experience for them continues each and every year, and as soon as they can do it we teach them the other side of the experience, that is the excitement of giving by wrapping gifts for others. With the other experience, we create a lot of hype and excitement in wrapping present. There is a countdown for the big day, like just 72 days left for shopping. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation and excitement for Christmas as well as the spirit and magic of the impending festival.  The best part is everyone happily participates in this behavior each year.

Now think of it, how would it be if we as a complete society started celebrating ethnic multiplicity with the same amount of ceremony, joy, enthusiasm and anticipation as we give to giving presents during Christmas? It is something to think about and could even take place very soon. 

It is our belief that if we make some simple modifications in our priorities, it may bring about some good and remarkable transformation in the behavior of children as well as adults in America. As parents as well as a society, it is possible to do it if we want, but commitment has to be made from all communities. 

For more useful information, please visit our website: THE KNOWLEDGE BASE