| Teaching your child the importance of saying hello will | | | | park ... walking, just about any place we went, we |
| help them learn to get to know and acknowledge | | | | played the game. |
| people. But in our society today, people aren’t | | | | Here’s how the game works. The challenge: |
| saying, “hello” anymore. | | | | “Who Will Know The First Person You See.” |
| Today, more than ever, everywhere you look or read | | | | Start by pointing out to your children the why/how you |
| there is something about the “danger with | | | | know someone. Whether at the grocery store, |
| strangers.” It’s taught to your child in school, | | | | restaurant or other place, someone is always there |
| it’s preached in churches, and parenting classes. | | | | assisting or serving you. You say, “Hello” and |
| But, are we instilling fear into our children rather than | | | | explain who this person is and how you know them. |
| promoting confidence. And, at the same time are we | | | | It could be a parent of one of their friends. Your |
| instilling fear into ourselves as parents and turning into a | | | | children will catch on and they will want to be saying, |
| society of becoming fearful of knowing each other? | | | | “hello” first. You’ll find that your children |
| What’s the end-result? The neighborhood block | | | | don’t like losing the game if you are the first to say, |
| parties are disappearing and our children play with | | | | “hello,” most of the time. |
| video games instead of playing with their friends a few | | | | By setting an example and teaching the value of |
| blocks away. Have you ever noticed if you go out | | | | saying, “hello” will help your children throughout |
| and just say, “Hello” to people you get some | | | | their lives. It’s up to you, the parent. Getting your |
| very strange looks? Some people actually turn their | | | | child to know the people who they meet every day, |
| heads. How many best friends does your child have | | | | and treating them as if they truly matter in the big |
| today? Do you remember how many classmates | | | | scheme of things. Saying hello builds the foundation for |
| you knew growing up? | | | | your child to learn how to welcome people, old and |
| How can we take this fear, turn the fear into | | | | new. |
| confidence, and at the same time teach our children | | | | You can start with just a few things and then build |
| the importance of getting to know and acknowledge | | | | upon them: Challenge your children to know the names |
| people? | | | | of all the kids in their class and what grade they’re |
| Over the years my children and I developed and | | | | in. Take the time to wave to your neighbors as you |
| played a game and it’s called “Who Knows The | | | | ride your bike, walk the neighborhood, or drive off to |
| Most People.” We played the game every time | | | | the grocery store. Set the example and teach the |
| we went out ... to the grocery store ... the zoo ... the | | | | value of “Hello. |