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There are many ways through which you can teach your child good values. The most important thing is to set a good example. The child will emulate what he or she sees. This apart, there are some other ways to raise your child with good values.

Be a Spy

Find ways to see how your kids are applying their values with friends - whether they share, tattle and so on. Contrary to what many parents think, you have to become actively involved in the development of your children`s friendships. Even as little as ten minutes of observation at the day care centre will do.

Exercise Their Empathy

Children are born with the capacity to empathise: A 9-month-old who starts wailing when another baby cries, for example, is displaying a primitive form of empathy. As your kids grow, you can help develop it further with practice. Write two columns on paper: "What did I do to make someone feel good - and bad - today? And why?" This is a particularly useful exercise for children who are having problems with other children.

Invite Another Perspective

If, for example your child had made a friend cry by teasing him or by not inviting him to his birthday party, you could ask him how he`d feel if the roles were reversed. Very often the child does not realise he had made his friend feel bad.

Stay Honest

Sure, it`s tempting to tell the annoying telemarketing person that you`re in the middle of dinner when you`re not. But what you`re teaching your kids is that honesty isn`t important.

Rely on Books

One way to teach tolerance is through books that focus on issues. Start young, so you`ve planted the ideas in kids before they start going to school.