To teach your child how to use respectful words and actions, you need to do two things. First, you need to explain what respect is. Then, you need to show your child how to use respect in their words and actions.
So, even if you tell your child what respect is, don’t expect him or her to be able to use that idea in everyday life without help and guidance. Here are some ways you can help them stay on track.
1. Be A Role Model
The most important thing you can do to teach your child any kind of behavior is to show them how to do it.
We learn a lot of how to act without being aware of it. When we see other people acting in a certain way, we copy them. If you want your kids to be respectful, you need to be respectful yourself.
2. Define Respectful Words And Behaviors
Tell your child what kind of words and actions show respect and what kind don’t. But don’t give your child a long list of things they should and shouldn’t say and do.
Instead, teach them as you go by gently telling them when they are being rude and showing them what to do instead.
3. Explain How Respect Feels
Tell your child in words that are right for their age how respect and disrespect make a person feel (6). Then, ask your child how they want to make other people feel. Give them many clear examples.
4. Show Them How
Respect is an abstract idea that can be used in many different ways. The younger your child is, the harder it will be for them to understand this. So, instead of just telling your preschooler to be nice to their daycare teacher, show them how.
You can say to your child:
If your teacher is talking to another kid and you want to say something, you should wait until the other kid is done.
Then follow-up with:
How would you feel if someone came up and talked over you while you were talking? Would you feel sad? Respect means thinking about other people and acting the way you want them to act.
5. Ask Them Questions
If you see someone acting disrespectfully, ask your child if they think that person was being respectful or disrespectful. Then, ask your child how they think the other person felt and how things could have been handled with more respect.
6. Discipline Disrespect
If your child is rude, tell them that they shouldn’t act that way. Tell them what they did and why you think it was rude. Talk about how you felt when they were rude to you and how they would feel if the roles were switched.
Depending on how bad the incident was, you might want to give a warning or give a punishment that fits the crime.
