Teaching Kids More Than One Language

In a society where traditional values of all sorts seem to have gone out the window, raising a Jewish boy who will adhere to traditional values isn't easy. Spending time learning about their religion and meeting high standards at the academic level helps, but that isn't all that's required. As a parent of a Jewish boy, you know the challenges; now you just have to find a way to overcome them. Here you can learn some tips that you may not have thought of in your daily efforts to raise a Jewish boy into a wholesome Jewish man.

Encourage Questions

Traditionally, you may have been taught that children shouldn't ask questions. Yet today's society questions everything and your own son is going to as well. The only difference is that if you don't open yourself to answering those questions, he's going to make his own assumptions or ask someone who may give him a different answer than you would like for him to have.

• Just listen while he talks, leaning forward so that he can see you are actively paying attention.
• Ask if there are any more questions so that you end the conversation with encouragement for more dialogue.
• Refer to Jewish texts so that you answer questions, but also offer references for him to refer to and interpret on an individual basis as he becomes a man.

Support Education on Multiple Levels

Today's educational system places a heavy focus on test scores, but you want your son to actually learn things, not just ace tests. That means you need to encourage learning outside the classroom and demonstrate different ways that learning happens and is promoted. Education is important for those who want to succeed in today's world, but it also lines up with the traditional values that you hold dear.

• Make Jewish education donations to educational services and providers. Not only do you help these services remain active, but you also show your son how important it is to support your culture.
• Plan activities around current educational details. For example, visit a live historical reenactment to foster interest in historical events.
• Offer entertaining books and movies that relate to his education.

As a parent in the 21st century, you face more influence from the outside world than ever before. Help your child learn traditional methods by providing encouragement and education rather than being negative about his outside influences. A positive approach fosters interest and learning while a negative approach only creates negative feelings and actions.