As a first born Asian Indian American growing up in New York
City, I never spoke a word of English until I began school.  Naturally, my parents spoke to me in our
mother tongue and conducted day to day life as authentically Indian as they
could in a new country.  One of those age
old Indian ideals was a deep seeded respect for KNOWLEDGE. 

One practice that many Indian children learn from a very
early age is this.  Never, and I mean
never, step on a book or keep it just lying on the ground for anyone to come
and step on.  Stepping on a book, or
anything else that is “sacred”, symbolizes that the wisdom contained within it
is “beneath you.”  Children are swiftly
corrected for doing such actions and are guided to perform a gesture of humble
forgiveness, even if the act was done unintentionally.  To acknowledge the mistake, I used to be
instructed to take my right hand and place it on the book, and then touch my
hand to my forehead in a bowing posture.  (I have never seen an Indian friend of mine
step on a book purposefully.  We all know
that the consequences would be better left unknown.)   

I remember teaching my own children the very same rule- even
as early as an infant.  I would hold
their hand and go through the motion with them. 
Whether or not an infant could understand the act, a parent would do it
and at some point it would become second nature to the child.  Three and four year olds would know disrespecting
a valued item was a mistake just as much as it was a mistake to put a finger in
the electrical socket.  This degree of
RESPECT for KNOWLEDGE is instilled in the child’s mind years before he/she even
steps into a classroom and starts learning proper academics.  Planting this essential seed begins the process. 

 Of course, follow
through is equally essential.   My
children, 7 and 8, are reminded that we all go to work every day.  My husband and I go to our offices and must
do our job with honor, integrity and the best of our abilities.  The kids’ office is their school, and they
are encouraged to “work” in the same manner. 
They understand it is their duty, or dharma,
at this age to have fun with learning.  They understand that when they grow older,
their duties will change, but their future will depend on how well they do in
the “student” phase of their life. 

The product of an early and deep respect for education is seen
in classrooms and cultures across the globe.  Transforming the opportunity of education
into a reality of personal and professional growth is a primary goal for all
parents.   Swami Chinmayananda has a
popular teaching that applies for successful parenting:  “Culture is not taught.  It is caught.”  Be an example for your children.  Make lifelong learning your entire family’s
commitment, not just a school requirement. 
You will be sure to have a child grounded in the right perspective for
life.