Respect

A child is learning about their world and their place within it.

Modelling respectful behaviour assists a child to understand and learn respect.

Embedding respect within the environment with children to grow, learn and develop is paramount.

Children learn how to be respectful and to respect others by being treated with respect.

In life in order to gain respect we must give respect.

We gain the respect of children and show our respect for children by how we behave with and around them.

Being respectful is to being mindful, paying attention, showing consideration, avoiding intruding upon and violating.

Respect can be viewed either as an outcome of our interactions, for example, we give or gain respect; or it can be used to describe behaviour, for example, when we behave in a respectful manner.

There are many ways to demonstrate our respect for children, and there are many ways to determine how well we respect the children in our care.

We can:

• Allow children to make mistakes.
• Allow and encourage civil disagreement.
• Allow transition time from one activity to another.
• Know how to say no, and be willing to say no and stick to it.
• Set limits and be consistent.
• Provide a meaningful, supportive environment.
• Have clear expectations.
• Model.
• Remain calm.
• Acknowledge behaviours and attempts.
• Allow time for a child to explore, attempt, etc. Avoid interruptions and interference.
• Encourage choices.
• Actively listen to children.
• Engage in respectful actions such as not picking a child up from behind where they can’t see you.
• View a child as capable and competent learner.
• Positive, warm interactions.

We are disrespectful to children when we:

• Do not take children’s opinions seriously.
• Use angry words under stress and, in particular, direct our anger toward them.
• Finish children’s tasks for them, rather than giving encouragement or directions and allowing them time to finish tasks for themselves.
• Answer questions for them.
• Shout or use sarcasm at them.
• Rush Them
• Not taking care of our own physical or emotional needs and letting that impact on theirs.