How to Raise a Respectful Child

Respect is a core value and skill that children should be able to follow and understand as they grow and become more aware of the world around them. 

Not only are respectful children more trustworthy and understanding, but you can strengthen the bond between you and your child. This guide from a private school in Kent will show you how you can raise a respectful child and build an established relationship.

Explain what respect is in layman’s terms

Half the battle is showing your child what respect actually is without using too many complicated words. Use easy terms that your child knows the meaning of and guide them through practical examples.

 The main themes of respect are admiring others, knowing when to honour someone’s opinion, being kind towards everyone you come into contact with and clearly listening to others.

Identify times when your child is being disrespectful

There are times when your child will be rude and unkind, whether it’s purposeful or not. This is when you should step in and tell your child how they should be behaving, and question why they were rude to someone else. 

Anger at a young age is harder to curb than when you’re an adult, so try to not get visibly angry at your child’s behaviour. Instead, look for ways to show them that that’s not how they should act in front of others.

Praise them for being respectful

If you’re seeing signs that your child’s doing well in a situation, give them praise for what they’ve done. They’re more likely to remember those moments when they’re older and work towards doing good when they’re with friends, family and even those they don’t know. 

Any time you see your child do something good you should aim to give praise, even if it doesn’t amount to much. It’s good to see your child feel motivated to do well and make a good effort where they feel they can add value.

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