How to Teach Respect to Preschool Children

Good manners and respect for others' feelings are important life lessons parents teach their children. Teaching preschoolers not to hit others or to use good manners can be difficult. Most of these respect-related problems arise because preschoolers are still in the process of developing their language skills. With patience and by being good role models, parents can inculcate in their kids the invaluable habit of respecting others.

Instructions

    • 1

      Teach respectful behavior by demonstrating it. You cannot demand respect from your child when you don't give it to him. Start by listening to your child. It could be about his school or a spat with friends. Whatever it is, listen to him. Sit down so that you are able to look into his eyes and tell him that you are interested in what he has to say. This way you teach him to listen to you.

    • 2

      Teach them to use good manners. Saying "thank you" and "please" teaches kids to ask for what they want instead of demanding. Teach them to say these words as well as "excuse me" and "I'm sorry." Demonstrating good manners at home is one of the best ways to teach these skills. Be respectful family members and friends. Say "please" when you ask your preschooler for something and "thank you" when she complies.

    • 3

      Be calm and firm instead of overreacting when you encounter disrespectful behavior in your child. Tell him how to be respectful. If he resorts to name-calling, get down to his eye level and say, "That's not proper behavior. If you want me to take you to the museum, ask properly. Say 'Daddy, will you please take me to the museum?'" If he throws a temper tantrum at the supermarket, don't shout at him. Take him to the car and sit down inside. Read a magazine and wait for him to calm down. Once he is calm, say "Ok, now we go into the store again." By not overreacting, you are showing respect for your child and by being firm you are conveying to him that he needs to be respectful. By resuming what you were doing prior to the tantrum, you convey that bad behavior will not stop you from accomplishing an errand or task.

    • 4

      Talk to your preschooler about what caused her to act the way she did. Guide her to think for herself about how she could have handled it better. "I know you were upset, but what caused it? How could you have explained it to me in a more respectful way?"

    • 5

      Praise his efforts to reinforce respectful behavior. Be specific in your praise. Instead of saying "Good boy," say "Thank you for saying please today when you asked me take you to the museum." Being specific motivates him to learn quickly.

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