Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.
– Abraham Joshua Herschel

Gabriel Young, PhD, writing in his Psychology Today article  “Why Kids Don’t Show ‘Respect’” urges adults to remember these three points about children and respect:

• Respect is an abstract concept that doesn’t have much meaning for a young child.
• Being more concrete and specific about the behaviors you expect will make kids more likely to comply.
• Respect also has to be earned; it can’t be forced.

The Out of the Box Training “Teaching With Respect” has been designed to help educators create appropriately respectful classroom environments, and foster positive relationships in children aged birth to 8 years. It makes the point that adults must help children master conflict resolution strategies and other skills that are needed in order to show respect to others.

And an article called “How to Teach Kids How to Have Respect,” on the website All For Kids makes the point that respectful classrooms begin with us:

“To truly teach children empathy and respect, you must start with yourself…and be a role model of respectful behavior and good manners.”