Human Values Foundation

Support Resources for Parents

Education is not confined to the classroom. Values are the foundation of everything we think, say and do in life. For example, if we think of the value “honesty”, children learn that although it takes strength and courage to lead an honest life, it is the best policy and that dishonesty leads to conflict and unhappiness. If they can see that this holds true not just in their relationships at school but also at home, this will help them to practise the chosen value in all areas of their lives. EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES (EHV) does not operate in a vacuum and it is tremendously important that the message in the classroom is reinforced in family life.

We hope, therefore, that parents or carers of a child, who is involved in using the EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES (EHV) programme in school, will find the time to support that child, in order to assist his or her understanding and absorption of the values being explored.

To help in this learning process, the child can be asked to share with the parents or carers some simple tasks that will help to instil these positive values.

The tasks appear on sheets in the form of “Home Learning” Units, which can be given by the teacher to the child to take home throughout the year. Each exercise will focus on one particular value, which the child is currently studying at school and will show its relevance and practical application to everyday family life. This may involve having a discussion, which illustrates why a value is important, or a simple activity with which the child may be helped. The exercises are designed to be practical, convenient and fun to use, not only for the child but also for the parents and carers.

The parents or carers sign and date each sheet after the exercise has been completed. The sheet is then returned to the school, so that the teacher is able to further assist the child to explore, develop, practise and assimilate the values.