The third level, application, requires illustrating in a scenario or demonstrating. The fourth level, analysis, requires comparing and differentiating. The fifth level, synthesis, requires building on the previous capacity in order to create new knowledge, new applications, to judge and evaluate. Using our exploration of systems from our last issue, we see the family system as entering this learning process together. Individually and together, the family can begin to assimilate an understanding of each value from the words used to describe it and the applications of each family member, which in turn can influence the entire family.
Parents can learn and grow in the understanding and practice of values, just as children.
We suggest using lots of encouragement and other rewards, tangible and less tangible, for children and adults. As the Eyres suggest in Teaching Your Children Values, catch each member in the act of demonstrating the value, and shower praise, recognition, or the most appropriate reinforcer for the individual. It may be that children from stressful home environments have been exposed to learning situations that reinforce the opposite of the value being discussed. It is very important to recognize the child's background and to respect the child's self-preservation instincts. However, understanding values, practicing them in a safe setting and in turn seeing them practiced by others can provide a child with internal strength to bring to adulthood, even if certain actions have to be suppressed at times.