What does it mean to be trustworthy? I explain this to my young children using the tower analogy:
Building trust is like building a tower:
What does it mean to be trustworthy?
I explain this to my young children using the tower analogy:
Becoming trustworthy is like building a tower–it takes time, and it’s not easy. Every time you show someone that you are reliable, do what you say you’re going to do, and tell the truth, you add a block to your tower. Eventually, your tower is complete, tall and strong. You have become trustworthy. But, when you lie, cheat, or don’t do what you say you’re going to do, you remove a block from the very bottom of your tower. Remove too many blocks, and your tower collapses. That is to say, you become someone who is not trustworthy. People don’t believe you anymore. But! You can always build trust again. With enough time and work, you can rebuild that tower of trust and become trustworthy again.
Resources:
9 Tips to Help Raise Trustworthy Kids
Teach Kids How to be Trustworthy
Show Me Character: Trustworthiness
Good Character for Kids: How to Raise Trustworthy Kids
Questions to Ask Your Children About Trust