The Importance of Teaching Respect to Kids

The importance of teaching respect to kids cannot bepursuit of recognition in the wrong way. They employ
underestimated. Teaching respect in charactertactics such as name-calling, fighting, and stealing to
education classes or other character building effortsmake others seem small and insignificant.
can do much to increase academic achievement.Subconsciously, they appear to decide that the more
Teaching respect within the family has additionalpeople they bring down, the more they will raise their
benefits. The importance of teaching respect to kidsown worth.
comes into its own, however, when we understandBullying is much like a cruel version of the "King on the
that this gem from the list of character traits canMountain" game many of us played when we were
greatly diminish bullying.kids. In their merciless effort to be at the top of the
Define Respectmountain, bullies are willing to engage in violent pushing
Teaching respect to kids begins by giving them anor pulling of others.
age-appropriate definition.Bullies do not esteem others at all highly. When they
That definition should help children understand that thispush others around for their own selfish gains, they
character trait addresses a person's value. When weexercise disrespect. You have probably noticed this in
exercise this character trait, we do so by treatingadults.
people in a way that shows that we value them. WeTeaching Respect to Overcome Bullying
do this even when nobody is watching, and when itAdults need to begin teaching respect to bullies and
requires personal sacrifice.non-bullies alike. In doing so, they should not at first
Teaching respect calls for words that help childrenmention the act of bullying. Rather, they should seek to
understand that every person has value, based simplyhelp both sides of the equation be valued. The result
on being human. Teach that some people, such aswill be a reduction in instances of bullying.
elders, parents, and teachers, have additional worth,Teach children that everyone wants others to look up
partially attributable to years of learning andto them. Everyone wants to be esteemed and to feel
experience.worthwhile. There are good ways to show others that
In some cases, authority gives a person additional rightyou have worth and there are bad ways.
to esteem. Parents, teachers, police officers,When you choose good ways, you add to your value.
firefighters, and others qualify under this facet of theYou make it bigger so people can see it better. You
character trait. When we delegate authority tomake it sparkle so people cannot miss it. Good ways
babysitters and others, they join the ranks.to show people that you have value include such
Define this character trait as an action - an action thatthings as doing good for others; caring for others;
behaves toward people in ways calculated toworking to excel in academics, music, arts, sports, etc.
recognize their value.The choice of bad ways takes away from your
The Bullying Problemworth. You make your value less so people have
The importance of teaching respect to kids comes intotrouble seeing it. You make it appear dull and
its own, as we stated earlier, when we apply thatunattractive. You still have value. We all do, as humans.
teaching to the problem of bullying. Bullying has alwaysYours will decrease, however, when you threaten, hit,
been a problem, and many treat it as a necessary evil.shove, fight, intimidate, tease, steal, use name-calling,
The problem is growing out of proportion, however. It isand gossip.
taking lives in increasing numbers.Conclusion
The good news is that we can greatly diminishThe importance of teaching respect to kids is often
instances of bullying by teaching respect.overlooked. Instruction in this character trait is under
What do bullies want? Like most of us, bullies want toappreciated and, consequently, under used. If parents
be admired. They want people to think they haveand teachers change that - if teaching respect
great worth - that they are important. They seekbecomes prevalent - society will gain immensely.
recognition. The trouble is that they go about their