Teaching Children Respect for Self and Others
Foster Self-Respect and Caring on Valentine's Day and All Year Long
Jan 10, 2009
The most vital lesson of life is respect for self, for others, and for the world. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone worked to improve levels of respect a bit each day! Respect is the basis for self-esteem as well as emotional well-being, manners, and social graces. Teaching kids respect is key to building confidence and raising self-esteem.
Parents speak of respect to children, long and often, but February and all this talk of love gives a great chance to let Cupid help sharpen the feelings and habits of respect.
Respect for Self
Respect for oneself starts at an early age. Young children naturally show empathy and make attempts to comfort and nurture others. This innate compassion can be tapped to develop life-long traits of self-respect.
But all is not lost if one discovers later that it has not been fully achieved. The setting of the goal is an exercise in self-respect and faith that it can be done. The act of teaching children respect is an act of faith in the future.
Valentine's Day is a fitting time to nurture this all-important focal point of emotional survival in oneself and one's loved ones. Make a list of things you like about yourself. Encourage children to do the same. Then place it where it can be seen often. People who have nurtured themselves can then learn to nurture and respect others.
Respect for Others
This is a natural outgrowth of self-respect although it is not always easy. A good start would be to make appreciation lists for each other within the family. Practicing being respectful at home develops children who can show respect in the classroom, which gives them a head start socially.
Children of any age often need a caring adult to help them see things to admire in others. When someone extends respect to a child, even in moments when they are acutely aware of faults, the way is opened up to develop the vital ability to forgive.
Forgiving and overlooking faults while seeing strengths is the yeast ingredient in learning to make and keep friendships. This concept gives a hint that when correcting children there is a need to generate a spirit of respect for them during the process.
Respect for The World
Caring for the world is a pinnacle of achievement for children and adults alike. There is a need to grasp every opportunity to encourage children to care about the world. Today's youth need caring input to balance the overload of disrespectful attitudes shown in some of the media and peer groups.
Respect and measles have several things in common. They are both catching, and they can both take a lot out of you. This February is a fine time to remember to love oneself and others.
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