Lesson 5.

The home was our first classroom with our parents as our first teachers. As
young children, we observed our parents and they became our role models. We
observed, absorbed, internalized and imitated their manners, values, habits, and
practices, among others. There were good ones and not so good ones. As we grew
older, our social horizons
expanded to include the school where we met teachers, peers, school heads,
community members and other parents.
The various social institutions galvanized our internalization of the values of
respect, courtesy and politeness, tolerance, fairness and self-control. Our good
manners are a reflection of the values that we uphold and we owe it to ourselves as
teachers and pre-service teachers to be exemplar role models whom learners under
our care will imitate.
Let us take a look at the different values which aspire our Generation Alpha
to internalize
A. Respect
The word respect is from the Latin word respectus which means attention,
regard or consideration. It can be defined as esteem for or a sense of the worth or
excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a
manifestation of a
personal quality or ability.
According to psychologists, respect is a basic moral value or need that makes
us aware that we are human beings and is related to productivity, happiness and
success. It is like a glue that holds relationships together. In the Philippine context,
respect is paggalang as shown in our pakikipagkapwa-tao, a shared sense of
identity and consciousness of the 'other'. It means treating people with respect and
dignity as an equal, not someone below the individual.
Respect is very important for both personal identity and interpersonal
relationships. To feel respected is a basic human right. If you respect others, you
care about their rights. Receiving respect from others makes us feel safe to express
ourselves. Disrespect can lead to break-ups and even violence.
It is a concept that has to do with the ability to value and honor another
person, both his or her words and actions, even if we do not approve or share
everything the person does. It is accepting the other person and not trying to
impose or change him or her. Respecting another person means that we are non-
judgmental of other people's
attitudes, behaviors or thoughts.
Our differences are valuable because we are able to create an identity. This
implies that individual differences exist and to accept the fact that as members of
society we are equal.
All people are entitled to respect for the simple fact of being people. Equality
is
in balance. It is for this very reason that we need to teach children from an early
age the value of respect and the best way to teach them respect is by being a role
model to them.
Respect for others is very important but more for the self since you will value
others to the extent that you are able to value yourself.
Why is respect important? Visualize a home or a classroom without respect.
What do you see? Chaos? Conflicts? Indeed, its absence leads to conflict and
dissatisfaction in our interpersonal relationships. If we don't respect others, we don't
get respected in
return; if we don't respect ourselves we will not be respected by others, too.
It is essential to feel safe and to be able to express our ideas without fear of
judgment, humiliation or discrimination. Being respectful of others, being respected
and respecting ourselves contribute to our sense of well-being, mental health, self-
esteem and self-efficacy.

Respect comes in different types. They are:

A. Respect for self
This is the ability to respect the self, to value and appreciate oneself.
This is accepting the self regardless of what others think.

B. Respect for others

This refers to the act of tolerating, accepting and considering another person
inspite of individual differences.
Examples are respect for parents, men and women equally, teachers, older
persons, religious beliefs, for people with varying sexual orientation (LGBTI), etc.

C. Respect for social norms

This is the ability to respect all norms that govern society. Some examples
include respect for courtesy rules inside the classroom, traffic rules or health
protocols during the COVID 19 pandemic.

D. Respect for nature

This covers appreciation of the environment.
Examples include knowing how to dispose of our garbage properly, not wasting
water
or recycling, etc.

E. Respect for family

This implies being able to understand and respect each other within the
family, and thus being able to live in harmony with each other.

F. Respect for Values

This refers to the ability to honor our own principles. An example of this is
respect for life.

G. Respect for Culture

This refers to the ability to recognize that there are other beliefs and be able
to
respect them. This can be seen in our being able to accept varying religious beliefs.

H. Respect for national symbols

This refers to the ability to value and appreciate the symbols of a nation.
Do we give respect to the Philippine flag as we sing the National Anthem?

I. Respect for human beings

 This refers to the ability to comply with legal norms, respect laws, church
dogmas and beliefs. How can we tell that respect is present in our relationships?
Think of the many situations where we need to get along with others.

Check it out if the following indicators of respect are present:

 You feel safe being around each other.
 You know it's okay for you and others to express who you are.
 When you disagree you listen to each other and demonstrate patience.
 You don't yell or talk over the top of each other.
 You are not controlling other person's choices.
 You can talk openly about your needs and wants.
 You allow your friends and others the space they need.
 You can admit to others if you have made a mistake. (kidshelpline.com)
Respect is something that we need to learn, it doesn't come naturally. This
means that children can be taught and trained to become respectful. How can
respect be taught to children given that this is very much needed by the Gen Z
& Alpha generations? Are we telling or are we teaching?
Children learn by observing. Parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. have
great influence on the children and may be their entire universe.
Parents, teachers and significant others play a crucial role in developing
respect. Parents and teachers usually serve as the first role models to the children.
As such, teaching kids good manners like respect begins with the significant adult
modeling it.
Convey the meaning of respect by modeling and teaching it. Borba (2002)
suggested trying the following tips:
A. If you are a parent or a teacher, treat each child as a very important person in
the world, in the classroom. You may ask yourself this question, "If I treat my friends
the way I treat my child or learner, would I have any friends left?"
B. Give love with no strings attached. Make sure the love you give to your children
and
learners is unconditional and guaranteed. So no matter what, the child is assured of
your love. This does not mean, however, that all behaviors will be approved. Some
actions are inappropriate and they need to be given passionate correction.
C. Listen attentively and respectfully. One behavior that parents and teachers need
to do is to listen - really listen to the children. Attentive listening is a wonderful way
to convey respect.
D. Build positive self-concept. Labeling children can have self-fulfilling prophecies.
Use
only labels that build positive self- concept. It is important to remember that if the
nickname or label is not respectful, it is best not to use it.
E. Parents need to tell their children why they love and cherish them as well as
make their children their priority. Labels such as stupid or "dungol" or "tanga" are a
No No.
F. Respectful rules can be instilled at home and in the classroom. The rules can be
set
together in a democratic manner. The rules may include respecting privacy,
listening to
each other or setting rules how to borrow things.
G. Don't engage when treated disrespectfully. Just clearly refuse to continue the
conversation until the child stops being rude and do it every time the child is
disrespectful.
H. Teach new behaviors to replace the inappropriate ones. Children learn new
behaviors
through repetition, so practice the new behavior correctly again and again until it is
mastered. Behavior change may require a minimum of three weeks, so be
consistent in
teaching the new behavior. The best time to teach is when the atmosphere is calm
and
relaxed and not during a period of conflict.
I. Encourage respectful behavior through reinforcement of the good being done. So
when
you see or hear children practicing respectful behaviors, acknowledge them and
express
your pleasure.
In addition, Borba (2002) designed a number of activities which can be used
in the classroom to develop respect.

Here are some adapted activities which can be tried by the teacher for children to
learn the meaning and value of respect.
 Look up the definition of respect. Write it down. Now describe ways you have
acted respectfully or disrespectfully this week.
 What are three ways by which you can show your teacher respect?
 What are three ways by which you can show your parents respect?
 Think of classmates who are respectful and talk about why they would make
good friends.
 Work with a partner or a group to create a song, a rap or jingle about respect.
Your words should tell why respect is important and how it could make the
world a better place. Be ready to perform it to the group if called upon. The
language may either be in the mother tongue or English.
 Prepare a list of magic words that show respect. Here are a few: please,
excuse me, thank you, etc.
 Role play or act out a class scenario or home setting that shows RIGHT SCENE
(RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR) and WRONG SCENE
(DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR) and engage learners in a discussion.
 List five ways by which we could show greater respect for our environment.
 Suppose you're invited to your friend's home for a family party. What are
some ways you could show respect and courtesy when your first arrive? At
their table? When you leave?
 Make a campaign poster about respect. Make sure you include the word
"Respect"and two reasons why someone would want to vote for having
respect at your school. You could use cartolina paper, felt pens, crayons,
magazine cut-outs and templates.
 Write a commercial about respect. Try to sell respect so others will want to
start using it. For instance, say something positive that might happen in the
world if more people showed respect to one another.
 Make a collage for respect on a piece of poster board. Draw pictures or paste
magazine pictures that show different ways you can show respect to others.
  Write an essay describing how the world would be different if more people
showed respect toward one another.

The home, the classroom and the community can be partners to develop children's
respect. This synergy is needed if we look forward to raising a generation of
respectful young persons.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to

distinguish men from beasts?
-CONFUCIUS