During each stage, individuals go through a series of stages that impact their moral development. This theory can be very informative and helpful for a teacher in understanding why students follow rules and what drives them to make their decisions. An important concept taught from the beginning of school is why we follow rules and how to follow them. Kohlberg believes that “goodness comes from within,” however there are many ways teachers can promote this learning in their classroom. Children's sense of goodness can be fostered through encouragement from adults and their peers. This can be applied by rewarding acts of kindness, using literature to show examples, and providing multiple opportunities for social experiences such as role-taking and teamwork. Students gain knowledge and understanding by listening and communicating with their peers about moral issues. Teachers should model the virtues of understanding and patience, as well as be able to relate to different perspectives as students move through these different stages. They should have a proactive plan to address issues such as cheating and lying and adapt these plans based on students' development or age. During the early stages of moral development, a student is unable to understand why cheating is not acceptable. This theory can help teachers understand why children “break down”.