Please take the time to talk about this word with this child and what it means.  Ask your child, ”How did you show respect—to yourself, to others at school, to the community, to the environment?”  Examples are posted in each classroom, including the golden rule:   “I treated other people the way I want to be treated.”

Respect is to show consideration or regard for others.

Respect looks like paying attention and listening quietly when someone else is talking.

Respect sounds like “I want to hear what he has to say,” or “She helps the students in class.”

Respect feels like honor or esteem.

Here are some things you can do to reinforce this important word of the month.

·      Talk with your child about the importance of treating other people with respect, including the use of manners.  Make sure he/she knows that it is important to you, and that it will lead to stronger friendships.

·      Watch a television program together, and talk about the various ways in which the characters acted respectfully or disrespectfully towards one another. Watch for put-downs, insults, and subtle forms of bullying.

·      Help your child become sensitive to his or her own behaviors or language that may be of a disrespectful nature, as he or she deals with siblings or friends.

·      This can include eating right and exercising (respect for their body) and making sure  they are happy with who they are.

·      Show your respect for the earth—recycle, reuse and reduce!

·      Remember that you are a powerful role model for your child. If you treat yourself, others and the earth respectfully, that is what your child will learn from you.