Hi.

I was going to stay out of this at first because I've moved on in my first career seven years back, but I just can't stay away, I guess.

I taught and led schools for much younger children, Sushi, and one of the things we were always aware of was the research that told us that by age 3, 80% of the "bulk learning" that was going to take place already had - things like "there are toes down there." "They're attached to me." "I can wiggle them," etc. Now obviously and assuredly, what you are teaching, and what we were teaching even at a kindergarten level is far more advanced than that, BUT, it's only the last 20% Pareto's principle: 80% of the work takes 20% of the effort, and vice-versa. That means that in a very real way, even at the kindergarten level, my teachers were doing mostly remedial and enrichment work, and attitudes towards society, self, and learning are definitely in the first 80% Take a look at the work of Dr. Morris Massey http://www.enterprisemedia.com/produ...hen_again.html for a rather scary but humourous look at that.

What you're fighting, as were we, is the vast amount of teaching that has already been done by parents, peers, and society. They'll be interested in whatever they'll be interested in, and selflessness is not something easily taught... but there is a fledgling program here in Ontario that has shown some real success called "Roots of Empathy." http://www.rootsofempathy.org/en/wha...r-program.html and other search items will bring it up fairly quickly. It's designed for much younger children, but you might be able to adapt the concept.

Other than that, taking a look at the theory behind it may give you some other ideas too. I wish you well - it's a problem which has bedevilled educators and will, for a long, long time. If I think of anything else, I'll get back to you.