The Best Way to Correct your Child

One of the quiet miracles of childhood is that a child softly corrected today can become a light for others tomorrow. So many adults wish to have been taught early in life; they wish to have learned some habits early in life.

There is a deeper way to train a child beyond scolding or punishment. Correct the child, then empower the child to correct others in that same area. Teach a child to speak well, and soon you’ll hear them gently fixing wrong expressions—even yours. Teach them honesty, and they will speak against lies with courage. Children learn fast, and when truth enters them early, it takes root deeply.

These kids will always have their friends around them. They retain every information, every habit and behaviour flashed by the people in their environment. I have said this time without number that the immediate surrounding of a child speaks volume of their manner and disposition. Corrections (soft and good ones) can't be too much. Keep sowing them into their tender heart; you may not see the seeds grow as quick as you wanted but relax, you'll surely be glad you sowed the seeds early.

Adults often struggle because life has scattered our focus. We only know what we were taught, what we read, or what we heard. Many truths came to us late—after damage was done. But a child is still soil, soft and ready. Do not harden that soil by limitation. I pity those parents that intentionally or ignorantly pamper/shield their kids from being corrected by others: at home, in school, religious places among others. Teach them to learn how to listen. So many kids out there have severed their ear; they're not rude; check their source, their home.

ALSO READ: Parents, Stop Following Your Children to their School Just to Punish them before the Class teacher

Never underestimate a child because of location or background. Wisdom is not a city privilege. Some children raised in villages grow among elders whose words are seasoned with life, patience, and discernment. Such children drink wisdom daily, sometimes more purely than those surrounded by noise and excess information.

Here is the painful truth: bad habits grow in silence. But when a child is trained to be an educator—to speak against wrong behavior—they become accountable to their own words. The child who teaches discipline will feel shame at disorder. The child who teaches purity will fear impurity. Correction then becomes internal, not enforced.

This method is both spiritual and moral. It plants conscience. It trains integrity. It teaches that knowledge is responsibility.

When a child is taught to correct others, they are not being made proud—they are being made careful. Careful with words. Careful with actions. Careful with life.

Correct a child, yes. But more importantly, turn that correction into purpose.