The Importance of Teaching Respect to Children

I would like to talk about something that we used to teach our children and we made a pretty big deal about it. However, in today's world this topic or lesson has seemed to disappear. The topic I am talking about is also known as "Respect". The word respect means to "Treat people the way you want to be treated." Respect is a very important family value. Learning respect plays a big part in developing a child's character. Showing respect to everyone in our lives offers us the potential for better relationships.

Children can learn respect by doing what their parents ask them to do when they are asked to do it. They can also show respect to their brothers and sisters by sharing and getting along with them. Children can also show others respect by being considerate and showing good manners.

Another kind of respect is self-respect. One can respect their body by eating healthy and exercising. Respect your mind by learning every day. Respect your heart by spending time with your family, friends and yourself.

Respect in a household teaches children to value their parent's needs as well as their own. Teaching your child respect teaches them to choose to be selfless when it benefits the good of their family. It gives children the ability to honor themselves and others. A child who has self respect will be goal oriented and aspire to be the best person they can be.

This core value, "Respect" is only one of six family values that I teach all of the students in my martial arts classes. It is my opinion that if we would make teaching the golden rule a higher priority to our children at an early age, there would be a lot less bullying in this world and a whole lot more happiness and harmony.