Teaching Respect to Children
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin
Respect is an important value and needs to be encouraged in some of us. Respectful Rabbit is one of the nine Characters of Character, earning a National Promising Practice Award the creator Joni Downey then formed the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Talk about perseverance! Joni soon discovered the hard work, time and commitment that goes into running a nonprofit organization.Like everything in life, when you believe in something or someone you continue to invest yourself, to grow, to learn and to be respectful. Let’s talk about Respectful Rabbit and
R -E- S -P- E- C- T!
Tips on how to teach children to be respectful and how to earn it:
ROLE MODEL. Yes, role model. Your child watches you and how you react and behave which is where they learn much of their own mannerisms. By treating others with respect, you will be respected. When you’re speaking with your child or others, don’t interrupt them. Allow them to finish their thought, then offer your opinion, comment or answer. Respect yourself and others is what Respectful Rabbit would have to say.
COMMUNICATE. Explain to your child that respect is shown not only in their behavior but also in their attitude toward others. Explain to your child that it’s not okay for anyone to use disrespectful behavior. Talk about the importance of respect on their level, ask them how they would feel if a peer or sibling is not kind or has poor behaviors and actions? Share that respect is when you care enough about how your words and actions may impact another person. Having respect for another person is when you feel good about their actions. A child may even look up to that person. Again, it may be you!
ENCOURAGE! Encourage your child to respect themself, who they are and also others. When a child offers to share their crayons with another person, or uses kind words towards others is one way to show respect towards another. By helping your child to do things for themself will increase their respect for who they are. Teach and explain things first and allow them to try and feel all the feels of an accomplishment. They will respect who they are and what they can try, and what they can do which will build respect in their character and their growth.
Respectful Rabbit has a Certificate of Achievement and you can print it here to present to your child! Who doesn’t like some praise! Let them color it and be sure to display this accomplishment and continue to model, discuss and encourage being respectful.
Respectful Rabbit has a fun and engaging activity book titled, “Respect Wears Many Hats” and can be purchased here. You can cut out Respectful Rabbit at the end of the book and dress this character in the different outfits that represent people in your community. This is a great way to introduce the members of your own community where you live to your children. For example, there are Nurses, Coaches, Chefs, Firemen, Policemen and more. All people deserve to be respected and by talking about who other people are that make our world go round is a great place to start! Respectful Rabbit also has a story titled, “Let’s Be Respectful” starring the one and only, Respectful Rabbit! The picture with all the kids coloring pages came from our Resource Book which includes activities, lessons, journal pages and much more. I’m a visual learner, and so, we also have a Bulletin Board and Poster book that you can work on with your children or students and display on a bulletin board or around a door frame!
As Respectful Rabbit says above, “Your thoughts become words” so if you’re thinking negative words about a person, place or thing, you need to work on changing those thoughts so they do not become your words or they do not become your habit and they certainly do not become your actions because all of these things build your character. When we teach our children and students to be respectful of themselves and towards others the entire community will benefit from this. At home it’s important to teach your child these important values, be a role model, be your child’s trustworthy person to come to and discuss any of their feelings and concerns. While they may be petty to you, they are important to them. Let’s listen first before we react on things. What good does it do anyone if we use harsh words or actions. Both sting.
