Lessons for Preschool Children on Respecting Parents
Preschool-age children often have minds of their own. They are exploring their world and testing boundaries, which is overall a positive and normal stage. However, sometimes as they're figuring out their autonomy, preschoolers drive their parents crazy with disobedience. Children this age need to learn lessons about why respecting their parents will keep them safe, healthy and happy in the long run.
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"Non" Rewards
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This lesson is recommended for preschoolers ages 3 and 4. Although you can try it with younger children, they may not grasp the concept. The lesson is a play on positive reinforcement. At the beginning of each day, put the child's daily rewards in a jar, or somewhere else visible. Draw three smiley faces on the jar. If the child isn't respectful or is disobedient throughout the day, cross off a smiley face. At the end of the day, they will receive whatever is left in the jar.
Role Play
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Sometimes children don't listen to their parents, but they'll listen to a beloved character they already have a relationship with. If your child watches a particular television show or video, use the main character to teach them lessons on respect. Buy or make a puppet from this character and put on a puppet show on the importance of respect. In this lesson, use this character, along with other puppets, to tell a story about a child who didn't respect her parents. Throughout the story, use your child's beloved character as a narrator to ask your child what the right choices and wrong choices are. After you're done, talk about why respecting her parents will help her to be safe and happy.
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Show Respect
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One of the biggest lesson kids can learn on respect is watching you. Think about these questions: Do you and your spouse or partner respect one another? Do you use positive language? Do you foster a spirit of encouragement and communication in your home? Do you respect others outside the home? These questions can be serious indicators of how your child will learn to respect herself, others and you.
Faith-based Lesson
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Sometimes lessons on respect need to come from a higher source than the parents. If you attend church, you can use this context to teach your child a lesson on respect. Use the metaphor of visiting a palace. Ask the child how he might behave in this place. Would he listen? Would he be respectful of his parents and others? Tell your child when you go to church, you are visiting God's grand palace and that he wants us to respect one another when we are in his house. Often, these lessons will carry over into the home.
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References
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