theChat.scot

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Talking about respect

Respect is something we want our children to experience, and to understand, so that when they relate to other people, they show understanding and treat others the way they would want to be treated themselves. With an understanding of respect, we can also help our children to recognise when something about another person’s behaviour is not okay – then we can encourage them to come to us.

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Explaining respect

You could describe respect in the following way.

Respect is about how we treat each other. Showing respect means treating other people well. It means paying attention to their feelings. If you think about how you would like people to treat you – say with kindness and understanding – then that would be how you could treat them. This would be respect.

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What is self-respect?

You can help your child to build self-respect by helping them understand how they should expect to be treated by others.

So, respect is about how we treat each other. You can also learn to respect yourself. Self-respect is when you have confidence in yourself, and when you know how others should treat you. Having self-respect means you understand you are important and deserve to be treated well. It means doing what you can to keep yourself safe and well. If someone is unkind or unfair to you it can make you feel bad. If that happens, come talk to me about it.

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Respecting space

One other aspect about respect can be learning how to respect another person’s space – and have your personal space respected too. In this Talking About section the Chat there is more on this in My Body belongs to me (Bodily autonomy).

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Acknowledge respect

You can notice whenever your child shows positive, caring and kind behaviours. You can tell them you notice it. You can also help them to reflect – in the moment or afterwards – if you see them being disrespected.

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Book

You might like to read this book together. Your school or library might have it, or you can ask the library if they will order a book for you.

A humorous and insightful introduction to respect and consent, an empowering guide for children.