Character matters for children's development

At the heart of this interview lies the fundamental message that character development is paramount for the growth and development of children. Dr. Kathy underlines the significance of imparting biblical character and Christ-centered character to children, which entails teaching them qualities such as humility, perseverance, diligence, effort, and teachability.

Throughout the show, Dr. Kathy acknowledges that the modern culture values success and achievement, which may not necessarily align with the nurturing of character traits such as those mentioned earlier. However, she argues that cultivating such traits is essential for the overall well-being and growth of children, helping them to navigate the various challenges that life presents.

Dr. Kathy highlights that character development caters to the core needs of children, including identity, belonging, purpose, competence, and security. By inculcating character traits like discernment, honesty, helpfulness, and optimism, children can develop the foundation for healthy relationships, a sense of purpose, and self-belief. She introduces the pyramid effect, which proposes that a strong sense of identity impacts positively on a child's competence, security, purpose, and belonging. As such, it is essential to instill in children a robust sense of character and self-worth, creating a healthy foundation for their future lives.

Parental involvement in character development is of utmost importance, and Dr. Kathy emphasizes this. Parents should model and teach these character traits to their children, utilizing positive reinforcement to acknowledge when their children display these qualities. This fosters a family culture based on unity and love.

Dr. Kathy advocates prioritizing character development over behavior in parenting. Teaching children biblical and Christ-centered character traits, such as humility, perseverance, diligence, effort, and teachability, equips them to make a positive impact on the world and glorify God. This is the essence of character development.