By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi
Originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog
Throughout April 2011, we’ll be working on the concept of “respect” as part of our Powerful Words character development curriculum, designed by leading child development expert Dr. Robyn Silverman.
All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand what it means to show care, consideration, concern and courtesy for others.
In this video, Dr. Robyn gives advice to a grandparent who wrote in because he’s concerned by the disruptive and disrespectful behavior he sees from his grandchildren when they’re out in public:
Here are Dr. Robyn’s tips for parents who want to teach their children how to better behave in public.
1. Teach them to be respectful at home
If you insist that kids use manners and refrain from being rude at home, it’s much more likely they’ll continue that good behavior when they’re in public.
2. Praise respectful behavior
Do your best to “catch them being good.” When you see your kids using manners or sharing without being prompted, make sure you praise them. Be as specific as you can. Don’t simply say, “Good job.” Instead, say “I really like the way you shared toys with your brother.”
3. Give them respect
We often demand from our kids that they look us in the eye, or that they don’t interrupt us, or that they speak to us in a respectful tone. But sometimes we don’t reciprocate that behavior. If you want respect from your kids, don’t forget to give them respect too.
4. Model respect
Show your kids how to be respectful by allowing them to hear you use manners and speak kindly. Each time you make a courteous gesture, you’re showing them what respect looks like.
5. Don’t reward disrespectful behavior
Sometimes when a child is being disrespectful, we can wrongly give them positive feedback by laughing. Next time your child acts in a disrespectful way, make sure you express your disapproval, but don’t linger. The more attention you give to their disrespect, the more likely they are to engage in that kind of behavior again.
Free Download: Special Report on Respect
Fill out the form below to request a free PDF download of our special report:
“The Power of Respect: A Guide for Parents and Educators”
This special report is an excellent resource, whether you’re a parent who wants to instill greater respect in your children, or you’re a teacher looking for character development lesson ideas in the classroom.
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