A for Apple? B for Boy? Not quite. Here’s a different set of ABCs to teach your little one.

A for Altruism

Altruism is the principle or practice of unselfishness. Teach your child to consider the interests of others above his own and to give without expecting anything in return.

B for Bravery

The world is a wonderful place to explore and find out more. Be brave, be curious and try new things (within boundaries of course).

C for Contentment

In a world that constantly hankers after more, knowing how to be contented is a rare virtue that when applied well can put you in good stead for the rest of your life. Less is more. Sometimes being minimalist is better than having it all!

D for Dream

The sky is the limit! Dream big always. You have to dream before your dreams can come true.

E for Encourage

In a world that has too much complaints and criticisms, being appreciated is always a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, all you need is that little extra encouragement to go from good to great.

F for Fortitude

Success is getting up every time you fail, and fortitude is that helping hand.

G for Gentleness

Do not mistake gentleness for cowardice. True gentleness is strength under control.

H for Hope

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

I for Inclusivity

Leave no man behind, and all will follow you. Teach your child not to ostracise others in school, especially those who have difficulty integrating.

J for Justice

Justice is truth in action. Inculcate a heart for justice in your child. When they see the downtrodden, they will not be the bystanders – they will be the Good Samaritan.

K for Kindness

Kindness has converted more sinners than fervour, eloquence, or writing. Being kind to others doesn’t just benefit them – it benefits you too.

L for Life, Laughter and Love

Cherish this precious human life that we have. Let your child know that it’s okay to be silly or laugh at ourselves sometimes, even when we make mistakes. Most importantly, the more love we give; the more we will receive

M is for Manners

Good manners are the mark of good character. Inculcate it from young and your child would make the world a better place to live in.

N is for Nature

Take care of Mother Nature, because there is only one of her.

O is for Obedience

Not just obedience, but immediate obedience, and active obedience. Teach your child how boundaries are important not just for children, but adults as well, in fact sometimes even more so.

P is for Patience

Being demanding and self-righteous is more and more prevalent today, especially with adages like “the customer is always right”. Show your child how to be patient, especially with service staff. Such heart lessons have to be caught, not just taught.

Q is for Quiescence

Sometimes amidst the chaos, it takes a calm and quiescent mind to bring people back to earth and focus on the issues at hand. Such a skill is valuable in today’s day and age when information is vast and virtually limitless. Live an unhurried life with your child, don’t rush to tell them “hurry up!” Smell the roses with them.

R is for Resilience

It’s never about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard a hit you can take.

S is for Spunky or Spontaneus

Being safe and boring, taking the easy way out, is very simple to do. Sometimes a little spunkiness adds colour to life that’s already as dull as it is!

T is for Trustworthy

Self-interest is pervasive in this dog-eat-dog world. Being faithful, loyal and trustworthy is so much more precious.

U is for Understanding

It’s so much more important to hear than to be heard. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

V is for Vulnerability

People wear masks all the time, for fear of getting hurt or sometimes more sinister reasons. Being vulnerable appropriately will open you up to rich relationships that you could never have expected.

W is for Wonder

Cynicism is a mark of daily life. Teach your children how to maintain that sense of wide-eyed wonder in everything they see around them.

X is for X-factor

Everyone is unique, everyone is special. Find that X-factor in you!

Y is for Youthful

Youth is not a time of life or the condition of your body. It is a state of mind, a matter of the will, quality of the imagination, a vigour of the emotions.

Z is for Zeal

A life lived without zeal is a life not lived at all. People with passion are naturally magnetic and draw others towards them.

By Rachel Lim

Read our Enrichment and Preschool Guide to learn about other enrichment programmes for your toddler or preschooler.

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