For children, experts believe it to be the first seven years. That is when children are most open to being imprinted with religious training, ideas of right and wrong, and a view of God. Children orient themselves by observing those in their immediate vicinity who function as role models. Societal values often contradict family values or church teachings. If character is what a person is when no one is looking, then we who are parents, grandparents, teachers and youth leaders need to examine our behavior.
Children are wonderful observers but often terrible interpreters.
The souls of young people in America today are unsatisfied. As a result, a growing number of them display symptoms of emotional drift, indifference toward others, apathy, irresponsibility and depressive moods. A recent television documentary about runaway children revealed that many of them end up in prostitution. They need to have authority, but they're not getting it at home, school or church. If we want children to have meaningful faith and godly character, we cannot be neutral about the decisions and choices made by young people within our sphere of influences.