Respect is “treating others with honor and dignity.”
Everyone has worth and dignity as a human being, whether they are young or old, rich or poor, male or female, or any other difference. This is why you should treat others with honor, dignity, and courtesy instead of bullying, harassing, or manipulating in order to get what you want.
You show respect in many ways. For example, when someone is talking, you show respect by being attentive. When you receive a gift, you show respect by saying “thank you.” At work or at home, you show respect to those counting on you by being responsible, diligent, and thorough.
Self-respect means you recognize your own worth as a human being and avoid anything that will damage your mind, body, or integrity. This means you do your best no matter who is watching—because what you do reveals who you are.
Respect does not mean you have to like everyone, and others might not treat you as they should. But even when you disagree with others or have to part ways, you can still treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.
- Value others.
- Respect differences.
- Use good manners.
- Not bully or harass others.
- Treat people the way I want to be treated.
- How does it feel when someone shows disrespect?
- How can you respect other students? How can you respect your teachers?
- What are some good manners you can show at meal time, at the store, or at school?
- What would happen to bullying if everyone showed respect to one another?
(Permission granted to reproduce this lesson for educational use. Credit: CharacterFirstEd.com)