ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠOne of the key challenges in teaching children about respect, The Country School value for October, is encapsulated in a fundamental tension. On the one hand, we need to lead children to understand that all people should be treated with respect because they are part of the human family, not because they have “earned” it. Yet, at the same time, we need to teach children that the most likely route to being treated with respect is to act in a way that in fact earns it.
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠWe all know that children internalize significant lessons from the models that surround them. However I am convinced that their observations around the issue of respect are particularly potent. They keenly note whether we parents and teachers are courteous or uncivil, whether we are accepting or dismissive of people's differences, whether we follow rules or act like they don't apply to us. Because even young children can understand the concept of respect, they are quick to act on the way they see us speaking with others, responding to those in authority, and treating those closest to us.
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠAt the beginning of the school year, as I always do, I spoke with our students about the importance of living by the Golden Rule. I pointed out that if we succeeded in treating others the way we ourselves want to be treated, it would have a huge impact on all of our days at school. Everyone would be treated kindly, fairly, and respectfully. Everyone would be happier; we could all accomplish so much more; all of our Country School values would be evident every day. Respect is a fundamental part of any social system's effective functioning.
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠBut it is indeed a two way street. Even Otis Redding Jr., composer of that iconic Motown tune “Respect,” points out that “what you want” and “what you need” both flow from “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”