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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon House bill would raise taxes in 13 cash-strapped counties ... Central Point man dies in Upper Applegate Road crash ... Week's temperatures forecast to peak at 111 on Thursday ... Oregon House bill would raise taxes in 13 cash-strapped counties ... Central Point man dies in Upper Applegate Road crash ... Week's temperatures forecast to peak at 111 on Thursday ... Marketta Gregory: Teach kids love Comment By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Sometimes you come across an author who makes your heart smile – that’s the case with Denette Fretz. She is writing a series of children’s books on loving your neighbor, and her first two, “Pirates on the Farm” and “Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door,” are well loved in our house. That’s why I was delighted to interview her and have her share her wisdom here. Q. How do kids learn to love their neighbors? A. We would agree that children learn to read by reading or to write by writing. When it comes to spiritual training, however, adult influencers often feel children should just “know better.” Our children … need role models, instruction and repeated practice. Q. What are some practical ways to teach compassion? A. I began teaching almost 30 years ago and have observed a huge decline in the percentage of auditory learners. Children cannot only be told how to “love your neighbor.” They must see love in action and have opportunities to practice. - Be compassionate to your child. Let him see loving responses to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. - Start with Christ’s example of love and compassion to teach your child how to love God and others. As you study scripture with your child, try to make it auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Avoid supplying all the answers. Have her analyze the Bible stories. How do I apply the story of the Good Samaritan at home? At school? - Family missions trips are fantastic experiences. However, loving neighbors is a lifestyle, not a periodic event. Help your child identify needs he can help meet. What helps Mom when she is tired? Who needs a friend at recess? Why is Mrs. Jeffer’s lawn so long? - Engage your children by incorporating what they already love to do. A toddler could sing to an ailing friend or paint covers on homemade greeting cards. An animal-loving 7-year-old could walk a shut-in’s dog. The math-genius, Xbox-absorbed teen could tutor a struggling friend, or invite a social outcast over for video games. - Teach your child to pray for hurting people as well as for “neighbors” who have hurt him. Q. Why did you choose this theme for your books? A. If children can learn to live the second commandment, other relational issues — unkindness, fighting, gossip, stealing, lying about a sibling, jealousy, etc. — submit to love. Marketta Gregory is a former religion reporter who now shares her own journey of faith with readers. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, their three young boys and one very vocal Pomeranian. To contact Gregory, email [email protected] or write to her at P.O. Box 12923, Rochester, NY 14612. You can also visit the Simply Faithful page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter (@MarkettaGregory). By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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