CHAIRMAN of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), Dr Pauline Mullings, has called on parents and caregivers to revitalise family devotions in the home, in order to instill better values in the nation’s children.

This appeal was among several solutions she posited at the official launch of Child Month last Tuesday at GraceKennedy’s head offices on Harbour Street, downtown Kingston. Child Month will be observed in May under the theme: ‘Restore the Family – Save our Children’.

“It is indeed a fact that children today have lost their values. The family and home, which is their first community, have been destroyed,” she said.

“Encourage Sabbath activities because these help in their (children’s) moral and social development,” she urged several stakeholders present at the launch.

In addition, she pleaded with parents to recreate family interactions so as to recapture bonding. She suggested simple ways such as watching television together and scheduling trips to various locations together.

Important in the effort to restore the family, she said, was that parents fulfil their responsibilities, which in addition to providing food, clothing and shelter, include attending parent/teachers’ meetings.

“Follow their progress and support their activities. Know their grades when they are either up, down or consistent.

Attend their football matches and dance performances,” Mullings urged.

Also, she said, parents should always commend children’s efforts and encourage their achievements, because this goes a long way in building confidence.

“Shield them from the negative aspects of our world today. Things are not the same as when we were growing up, so monitor what they watch on the television and on the Internet,” she reminded and, “most of all, love them”.

Meanwhile, the NCMC chairman noted that the activities planned for the month of May and the rest of the year were aimed at sensitising the nation as to what could be done to improve family life.

“It is also the aim to focus on how the theme has impacted on our children. We want everyone to be involved in saving our children,” Mullings pointed out

Activities include an awards ceremony for the Child Month poster and essay competitions on April 28; National Church Service at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville on May 74; Children’s Expo at the National Arena from May 11 to 14; Action Day on May 19 and Parenting Workshops on May 27, which will target parents who reside in Portmore.

Other events planned for the rest of the year are a community service awards ceremony on June 23; youth forum on September 26 and International Children’s Day on November 20.

Mullings also used the occasion to acknowledge the contribution of Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited and GraceKennedy, which are co-sponsors of Child Month activities this year.