This is a collaborative post
What is a respectful child? Is it a child who never questions authority? Or is it a child who understands the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated themselves?
It’s not a good idea to teach a child never to question authority – but always a good idea to teach them to respect other people and to treat them with care and gentleness.
Show your child how to respect others
Demonstrating kindness, patience and understanding in real-world situations is invaluable. It’s one thing to explain to a child how they should behave but another to demonstrate it. If your child sees you speaking to others with respect, then they will naturally imitate you.
Empathy and respect
Respect begins with empathy. Understanding how others feel and why they feel that way is the start of kindness. Small children begin to feel empathy as early as 2 years old. Studies show that toddlers of this age can see when others feel bad or are hurt and feel the desire to help.
If a child feels empathy then they can understand respect for others. Pupils at this top girls’ school in Surrey are taught respect for one another and for staff and this in turn helps them to feel respected themselves.
Impulse control
One thing which might fall in the path of respectfulness, however, is impulse control. Many children do not really have much grasp on impulse control until the age of around 8 and some even later. Studies show that even teens and young adults struggle with impulse control and it’s this which can sometimes get in the way of being respectful.
Teach your child to think and take a breath before acting if their emotions are high. Even in the midst of upset or anger, there is a moment when a child can take stock of the situation and choose to behave respectfully.
Before you know it, your impulsive child will be a thoughtful, respectful one who fits in well with peers and makes friends easily.
