Respect means showing others they are valued for who they are and not for their possessions or looks.  It means treating others the way you want to be treated; never insulting or making fun of others who are different from us.  Respectful people are tolerant, courteous and accepting of others.  They do what is appropriate and proper in dealing with others.  They don’t stoop to violence or rudeness.  Parents and leaders are responsible for modeling and teaching respect to children.  Here are some ideas for encouraging the virtue of respect:

 

      Treat everyone with respect by being courteous and polite.

      Respect the independence of others.  Let them express themselves in their own individual way.

      Be kind, appreciative and accepting of individual differences.

      Judge people on their merits, not how they dress or the way they look.

      Avoid repeating remarks or jokes that demean other races, religions or ethnic groups.

      Don’t take advantage of other people.

      Refrain from insults, put downs and harassment of others.

 

Here are some activities hat can help teach respect:

 

      Talk about ways people have shown respect during the past day or week.

      Reward each other with praise-or small prizes-from random acts of respect.

      Read stories together like The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson and Leo the Lop by Steven Cosgrove and talk about the importance of not judging others by the way they look.

      Help children discover acceptable ways to vent anger and frustration.  Hitting and rudeness are not the answer.

      Attend a cultural festival to learn about the traditions and customs of people of other races or religions.

      Search your local newspapers-or watch the television news-to find examples of citizens showing respect to others.