How Do You Teach Respect?
Posted: October 31, 2022
How do you teach respect?
I often hear parents say that they love how our students are so respectful.
So, how do we teach respect?
By the best way possible and that is by being respectful. Having respect as a core value. Making sure that respect is expected and pointed out.
Really, we can’t make a child be respectful. But we can show them what respect is. Teach them the benefits of being respectful. Set the example. Then it becomes a choice. And when the student understands their benefits and how life is better for them when they are respectful, then they often choose to be that way.
Of course, having an environment where respect is expected and demonstrated helps.
Respect is so important that it is the first lesson we teach. We start the class off with a bow. A bow of respect. Respect for yourself first. Respect for others. Respect for the training environment. Every student learns the rules of respect before they can train with others. That is why we bow at the beginning of class and at the end. We like to say that we start and end with respect.
Every student understands the benefits of being respectful from their first lesson on. The more respectful they are the more respect they get. And kids like respect, just like us parents!
If you have a child that is disrespectful, we all know where that can lead if not addressed. Don’t hope it will get better, do something about it. Start by making respect something you expect.
Start with making sure you say thank you, and please, and your welcome. Kids really do learn by example. It just seems like they might learn bad examples quicker than good. Don’t give up and work hard on having a respectful environment and I guarantee you will have a less stressful life.
- Master Jones
Academy of Kempo Martial Arts