by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com
Train up a child…
Fact or Fiction?
Occasionally, in school textbooks, there will be a section or two to help students determine whether something they have read is fact or fiction. It is important for children to be able to determine what to believe and what not to believe. Some things in a child’s experiences affect their ability to determine the truth from something that is made up. One thing that affects this ability is the source of the information received. Customs in society sometimes influence a child’s ability to determine truth. The extent to which a child’s vocabulary is developed also plays a part in this ability.
Children are taught to believe their parents, teachers, and church workers. Sometimes, these same people like to tease children and tell them things that are not true because the reaction may be fun to watch. An example of this is when parents scare children with scary stories and don’t let the children know that they are simply made up. Children tend to believe them because they believe their parents would not tell them something that is not true. Other examples include the stories of Santa, the Easter bunny, and goblins at Halloween. Parents need to be sure that the fun ends with the truth and not leave children wondering. Children can simply be told that these are games that are played in our society; then, if desired, the pretend games can be continued. Otherwise, when children find out the truth, they will wonder what other things they have been told that are not true.
In recent years there has been a tendency to lead people to believe that truth varies from person to person. “What is true for you may not be true for me,” they say. Certain facts, such as those in the Bible, never change. The law of gravity does not change from person to person and neither do any of the other laws of God’s creation. Although we do have differing talents and abilities, all should be honest and use integrity in dealing with others. The Ten Commandments apply to all. The Ten Commandments are summed up by loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors. This truth will never change.
There are many misunderstandings because children have not yet developed enough vocabulary to discern meanings of much conversation. One of the best things parents can do to help in this area is to give varied experiences and encourage children to read and ask questions. The spin used by many people comes across to children more from a tone of voice than words spoken. If we were able to block out in our own minds the word meanings and just listen to the tone of voice and watch the body language used, we could easily be persuaded to believe certain things. This is a little like what children do when they do not understand words being used. Attitudes and ideas then come from impressions rather than facts. When children express opinions derived from others in such a manner, a good question to ask is, “What facts did you use to form that opinion?”
When children are unable to discern fact from fiction, they grow up believing much that is not factual. They have a difficult time making decisions for their own lives because they do not know how to consider facts in making those decisions. If we, as adults, can help children develop a good vocabulary, always point out the truth to them, and guard against unfavorable influences in society, our children will be more able to determine fact from fiction.