Formation of Home Characters

How interestedly the Lord Jesus knocks at the door of families where there are little children to be educated and trained! How gently he watches over the mothers' interest, and how sad He feels to see children neglected. . . . In the home characters are formed; human beings are molded and fashioned to be either a blessing or a curse.

That I My Know Him, p. 39

A Right Direction or a Wrong One

It is during the first years of a child's life that his mind is most susceptible to impressions either good or evil. During these years decided progress is made in either a right direction or a wrong one.

Child Guidance, p. 193

Early Training of Children

Too much importance cannot be placed upon the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed, during the years of infancy and childhood, have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of the after years.

Ministry of Healing, p. 380

The First Seven Years

Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years.

Child Guidance, p. 193

Baptism & Character Building

Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children. Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both parents and children count the cost. In consenting to the baptism of their children, parents sacredly pledge themselves to be faithful stewards over these children, to guide them in their character building. They pledge themselves to guard with special interest these lambs of the flock, that they may not dishonor the faith they profess. 

Testimonies to the Churches, Vol. 6, p. 93

Let the Children be Taught

Let the children be taught that as they open their minds to pure, loving thoughts and do loving and helpful deeds, they are clothing themselves with His beautiful garment of character.

Education, p. 249

More Than Mere Instruction

Education means much more than mere instruction.

Child Guidance, p. 24

Competent, Caring, Literate, & Happy People

“We can get too easily bogged down in the academic part of homeschooling, a relatively minor part of the whole, which is to raise competent, caring, literate, happy people.” 

Diane Flynn Keith

You Plant the Tree

"During the first seven years, the foundation for a child's character is most easily built. . .parental influence is greater today than tomorrow! You are the owner of an orchard. You prepare the soil. You plant the tree. You nurture; you water; you shape and prune. You know your orchard --- every tree is different. Some grow straight and tall and naturally open their branches to the sun. Other trees need support. As children begin to bend to the elements, they need you to train them: to straighten their trunks, to prune damaging growth, to spread their branches. But, with each passing year, the trunk gets more set; the branches more firm. The type of care the orchard will require in the future, and its productivity, will depend on the type of care you are willing to provide when the trees are young. You are the owner of an orchard."

Kay Kuzma, Building Your Child's Character from the Inside Out
page 3

Influencing a Child's Character

"Nothing is considered small which has to do with influencing a child's developing character. Character building certainly begins at home. It is nourished and applied there. . .It is in early years that the beauty of honesty, courage, and fair dealing with each other is best received."

Thelma Beem, The Dignity of a Child
page 15

Home is a Training School

"Parents, remember that your home is a training school, in which your children are to be prepared for the home above. Deny them anything rather than the education that they should receive in their earliest years. Allow no word of pettishness. Teach your children to be kind and patient."

Ellen White, Child Guidance 
Chapter 17