PW invited parents of Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre, Kanpur to share insights on how they teach their children to be respectful of adults and other children

“Learning to respect others — which we believe is the highest expression of love — begins at home, as children are keen observers of their role model parents.

We make a conscious effort to model respect in our daily interactions with our daughter Anika (Class VII), whether it’s in the way we speak to her and others, handle disagreements, or show appreciation. To make this learning engaging, we have introduced a ‘kindness challenge’ at home, where Anika wins ‘smile points’ for thoughtful deeds like helping a friend, being polite, or comforting someone in need. At bedtime, we also share stories of empathy and compassion.”

— Shinky Arora, Homemaker

“Children learn best by observing adults. Therefore, it becomes imperative to model respectful behaviour through kindness, empathy, and consideration towards others.

I have always treated my son Sarthak (Class VIII) with respect so he can follow my example. By teaching him to use words such as ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘excuse me,’ I motivate him to build healthy relationships with peers and adults. In our household, clear rules and expectations for respectful behaviour were set early and are consistently enforced. I also encourage Sarthak to be a patient listener and respond politely to others.”

— Dr. Roopali Mishra, Associate Professor, Jagran College of Arts, Science & Commerce

“By speaking kindly with others, listening patiently, and demonstrating empathy, parents can set the foundation for respectful behaviour that children observe and emulate.

Setting clear rules and expectations of courtesy further reinforces its importance. For instance, I encourage my son Pranshiv (Class VII) to use phrases like ‘May I?’, ‘Could I?’, and ‘I truly appreciate it.’ During conflicts with his peers, I guide him to control his emotions rather than react with anger, while highlighting the importance of embracing differences. Over time, he has understood that respect fosters trust, nurtures relationships, and builds a compassionate environment.”

— Lakshmi Srivastava, Homemaker

“We treat others with kindness and patience so our daughter Sayraa (Class VII) can follow our example.

We also set clear expectations for respectful conduct while explaining the nuances of courteous language, listening attentively when others speak, and acknowledging mistakes with a sincere apology. We make it a point to praise respectful actions whenever we observe them. Additionally, we discuss manners and social etiquette tailored to Sayraa’s age. Conflict resolution with calmness is another key focus area. Most importantly, we show gratitude in our interactions with others, strengthening the value of mutual respect.”

— Nitya Chawla, Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker