Teachers are daily facing disrespect shown towards them by the learners in their care, according to experts, Rekord East reports.
“It is time for parents to step in and step up to help rectify the problem before it becomes completely unmanageable,” said Cindy Glass of Step Up education centres.
“The benefits of a good education can never be underestimated and ensuring learners respect their teachers is essential.”
She says the following must be considered when teaching your child to respect their teachers:
Be the best example for your child
You are your child’s first and longest-lasting teacher. Your child needs your guidance and assistance in learning the value of respecting self and others. It is important to remember our children are likely to do what we do, rather than what we say. Encourage respect of teachers by respecting your child’s teachers.
Avoid teacher-bashing conversations. Seek to find positive solutions to challenges that present themselves. Teach your child that, no matter the circumstance, there is always a way to find a solution.
Teachers are only human
Teachers are human too. They have an enormous responsibility to help your child in becoming the best version of themselves. Teachers make mistakes. Disrespectful comments and abusive behaviours are not solutions. Open communication is needed to find ways of helping both parties in achieving the desired outcomes in learning.
Teach your child about taking responsibility for their behaviour
Every choice that we make defines the path of our lives. All negative behaviours are based on fear, low self-esteem, self-defeating and destructive self-talk and low self-value. We need to teach our children to own their mistakes and choices and to avoid blaming others for their shortfalls.
Taking frustrations out on their teachers only exasperates their difficulties, whereas they could find wisdom with their teacher instead. Learners need to recognise and acknowledge that problems are a part of growth and learning. There are always ways to seek and receive the help that they need, without a show of disrespect to anyone.
Teach your child about abusive behaviour
Disrespect reflects their character, not the teachers. Teach your children that disrespecting and abusing teachers is an indication of who they are, not of who their teachers are.
Negative behavioural choices reflect on the giver, not the receiver. It is a clear indication that the person does not respect and honour themselves. It certainly does not engender admiration from his peers. Seek to develop positive self-respect and self-value in your children and this will ensure that they give the same to others.
