Decatur City Schools Parental Involvement Program Brookhaven Middle School 2005 Parenting Day “Celebrating Parents – A Child’s Lifetime Teacher” Title: RESPECT for Yourself and Others in the Middle School Presenter: Sandra Calvin, Decatur City Schools Parenting Coordinator

R E S P E C T The best way to teach respect is to be respectful toward them. Once children experience what respect feels like, they understand how important it is. Children become respectful when parents live by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and when we expect our children to live by it, too. If children don’t have respect for authority, peers, belongings and themselves, it’s almost impossible for them to succeed in anything.

Why is Teaching Children RESPECT So Important? Respect is more than obedience, it is an attitude. Being respectful helps children succeed in the almost every part of life. A respectful child can learn from adults at home and at school. A respectful can learn from adults at home and at school. A respectful child takes care of responsibilities and belongings. A respectful child gets along with his peers. Schools teach children about respect. Parents have the most influence on how respectful children become. Experts say that until children show respect at home, they’ve unlikely to show it anywhere else. Teaching Children respect can be challenging – but it’s always rewarding. Respect improves children’s lives at home, at school ,in the future and it improves the lives of everyone around them.

Parents Show RESPECT for Your Child There is no better way to teach your child about respect than to give respect. Ways to show RESPECT: Be a good listener. Be reliable. Be polite. Be fair. Be positive. Be trusting. Be honest.

Parents Model RESPECT Your child needs you to respect them and they also need to see us respecting ourselves and others. Ways to set good examples: Obey laws. Keep yourself healthy. Be accepting. Be caring. Notice good role models. Avoid poor role models. Practice moral reasoning.

Parents Teach About Authority at Home The word “Authority” can be intimidating to both adults and children. It brings to mind parents, bosses and others who tell us what to do and notice our mistakes. Ways to teach respect for authority: Explain why rules are important. Use consequences. Enforce good rules and consequences consistently. Show love for your child.

Parents Teach RESPECT for School Authorities Studies suggest that students whose families respect education and hard work do well in school. Ways to help: Get involved with the school. Encourage good homework habits. Show interest in schoolwork. Make attendance a priority. Support the school. Talk about the importance of learning.

Practice RESPECTING Peers Children who get along with peers have learned how to be respectful. Ways parents can help: Develop empathy. Teach tolerance. Encourage courtesy. Improve listening skills. Build language skills. Solve problems together. Give helpful hints. Role play. Work on stress management.

Parents Build RESPECT for Rules One of the ways children show respect for authority is by following rules. Reasons for rules: Ask your child for help. Play a game without rules. Let your child play a team sport. Encourage your child to be a leader. Imagine a world with no rules. Praise your child for obeying rules.

Parents Build RESPECT for Rules One of the ways children show respect for authority is by following rules. Reasons for rules: Ask your child for help. Play a game without rules. Let your child play a team sport. Encourage your child to be a leader. Imagine a world with no rules. Praise your child for obeying rules.

Parent’s build your child’s Self-RESPECT The most important kind of respect is self-respect. Ways to build your child’s self-respect: Expect the best. Show unconditional love. Build independence. Help your child set and reach goals. Promote assertiveness. Encourage honesty. Respect individuality.

Parents Build RESPECT for Belongings People aren’t the only ones who deserves respect. Property should be respected, too. Ways to help: Give your child an allowance. Let your child care for something special. Think of an old item your child loves. Help your child get organized. Encourage your child to think. Remind your child to ask before using other people things. If your child damages property on purpose, hold him responsible.

Parents Age Affects Children’s RESPECT Babies are too young to show much respect, but when you meet their needs, they learn to trust you. Toddlers can learn to say “please” and “thank you” Preschoolers can imagine how others feel. Elementary children have a strong sense of fairness. Middle and High Schoolers sometimes use disrespect to make themselves feel independent. Continue treating children this age with respect – and don’t let them mistreat you.

let’s work together to make that HAPPEN. Supporting our children means being there and giving your time, money, and moral support to their efforts. It is PUSHING, PRAYING, PRAISING, PUNISHING, PAYING, PAIRING, PARENTING AND PREVAILING. Every parent can do that, and parents who want their children to be successful in school should be prepared to do all of those things and more. Your child needs our support. Let’s Lead by EXAMPLE and let’s work together to make that HAPPEN. Thank You!!!