Parents choosing a nursery or primary school are not only choosing a place to learn letters and numbers; they are choosing the people who will help shape their child’s character. For many families in Lagos, Christian values in school are an important part of that decision, because they give children a moral compass from the earliest years.
This article explains how values such as truthfulness, respect and humility are taught in early education, and how Palmville Children School approaches character building alongside academic learning.
Values from the start
Young children are like sponges. They absorb the habits, tone and attitudes of the adults around them long before they can explain what those habits mean. This is why character education works best when it starts early and is repeated consistently, in the classroom, on the playground and at home.
At Palmville Children School, our core values are truthfulness, respect, humility and the fear of God. They are not slogans on a wall; they are expectations that guide how children are encouraged to speak, behave and treat one another each day. Our motto, “Patience & Wisdom”, reflects the same idea: through patience and wisdom, we mould children to become leaders.
Our Headteacher, Mrs Ndukwe Ada, sums up the hope behind this work as “Raising a generation of Godly kids.”
It is also worth remembering that values are caught as much as taught. Children notice how adults speak to the cleaner, the driver and one another. When a school and a family are both consistent, the lessons settle quickly and begin to feel natural to the child.
Truthfulness and respect
Truthfulness begins with small things: owning up to a spilled drink, telling the teacher the truth about a missing pencil, admitting that homework was not done. Children need to feel that telling the truth is safe. If they are punished harshly for honesty, they quickly learn to hide. A calm response, along the lines of “Thank you for telling me the truth; now let us fix it,” teaches that honesty is valued.
Respect is shown through simple, visible habits. Greeting elders, saying please and thank you, listening when others speak, taking turns and caring for shared property are all everyday lessons in respect. Nigerian culture has a rich tradition of respect for elders, and early education is a natural place to strengthen it.
Parents can reinforce these lessons by being consistent. If a child hears one thing at school and sees a different example at home, the message becomes confusing.
Humility and kindness
Humility does not mean thinking little of yourself. It means being willing to learn, to say sorry, to accept correction and to celebrate other people’s success without envy. In a classroom, it shows when a child who finishes first helps a friend, or when a pupil congratulates a classmate who won a prize.
Kindness grows from practice. Encourage children to notice who is left out, to share, to help carry things and to comfort a friend who is upset. Praise these actions specifically: “I noticed you shared your crayons with Tolu. That was kind.”
You can also build these qualities at home through simple routines.
- Pray or give thanks together as a family at a regular time.
- Give your child small responsibilities, such as tidying toys or setting the table.
- Read stories that show honesty, courage and kindness, then talk about them.
- Apologise to your child when you make a mistake, so they see humility in action.
Raising a generation of Godly kids
Character is shaped by partnership between home and school. A school can teach, model and expect good conduct, but children thrive most when parents echo the same values. Open communication with teachers helps both sides respond quickly when a child is struggling with behaviour.
At Palmville Children School, founded in 1989, we welcome families who share this hope for their children. Our teachers pair strong academic foundations, drawn from a blended Nigerian and British curriculum, with daily encouragement to be truthful, respectful and humble. Visit our primary school page to learn more about the school, or read about our history and values.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should children begin learning values?
From the earliest years. Toddlers learn from the way adults speak and act, and simple ideas like sharing, saying thank you and telling the truth can be introduced early.
How can parents support what the school teaches?
Be consistent, model the behaviour you want, praise good character specifically and keep in touch with your child’s teacher.
Early education is the best time to plant good character. Truthfulness, respect and humility, taught patiently and modelled by adults, give children a firm foundation for everything that follows.
If these values matter to your family, we would be glad to meet you. Book a visit to Palmville Children School in Ipaja.