Election fever is at an all-time high, and will just get hotter as May 9 draws near. Whomever your political preferences may be, one thing’s for certain—you can raise your children to do their share in building a better future for the country. How do you instill national pride in your Pinoy child?
Show and encourage respect for public property.
While it may be a given to keep your own home neat and clean, public places like parks or malls sometimes don’t get the same treatment. Encourage your child to return things back where they belong, to clean up the toys they use in a public play area, and to throw their trash in the proper place.
Set an example by following rules and regulations when in public places as well. Even something as simple as cleaning up after yourself in a fast food area, or making room for other diners when there’s space in your own table, will make a big difference.
Expose your children to the islands.
Getting around the Philippines can still stand to be more efficient (like better airports and planes that leave and arrive on time!), but it can’t be denied that we have some of the most scenic destinations in the world.
Read: Summer escapes: family-friendly resorts in Batangas and Laguna
Touring your family around the different islands will give your children firsthand experience on what their own country is like, from the destinations, to the food, to the famed Filipino hospitality. Exposing them to the beauty of the Philippines will make them feel proud to live here.
Introduce them to our heroes and politicians.
Our kids can recognize and name cartoon characters in a matter of seconds, but some don’t have a clue who our national hero is, or who our current President is. Introducing them to important men and women who shaped and continue to shape our country is our responsibility.
Just like anything that you wish for you or your child to remember, it’s all about exposure and repetition. Read them storybooks about our heroes, saints, and tell them stories about important events in our history, in a PG way that they’ll be able to understand and appreciate.
More tips on raising kids to be proudly Pinoy on the next page. One of them is pretty tasty!
Purchase locally made goods.
Buying local helps pump money into the economy, and helps a multitude of Filipino workers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. If the price is right and the quality is up to your standards, choose to grab the local brand.
It also shows your children the ingenuity and creativity of Filipinos, showing them that what we produce can be at par with other countries.
Cook regionally inspired dishes.
Some Philippine historians say that one of the best ways to get to know a province or region is to taste their local cuisine. Through eating, you figure out what cultures influenced the cuisine and what ingredients are locally ready and available in the region.
Cooking the different dishes in the comfort of your home, and telling them stories about the place where it’s from and its people, is the tastiest way to teach history to your kids.
Expose them to the news.
Primetime news can be violent or depressing at times, and reading the newspapers might be too much for them to do at their age. Be there to help them figure out which pieces are age-appropriate for them to know about, and discuss it with them.
The more they know about what’s going on in the country, the more involved they’ll feel, and perhaps they’ll be inspired to do something to spread positive change, in their own way.
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