The Value Of Teaching Children To Say “thank You “, “please ” Or “good Morning “
Transmitting to children the importance of thanking, of “asking please” or of saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” goes beyond a simple act of courtesy. We are investing in emotions, in social values, and above all, in reciprocity.
To create a society based on mutual respect, in which civility and consideration make a difference, it is necessary to invest in those small social customs, to which sometimes, we do not pay the importance they deserve. Because coexistence is based, after all, on harmony, on those quality interactions based on tolerance where every child should start from an early age.
A mistake that many families often make is to initiate children into these polite rules when the little ones begin to speak. Now, it is interesting to know that the “social brain” of a baby is tremendously receptive to any stimulus, the tone of voice and even the facial expressions of his father and mother.
Believe it or not, we can educate a child in values from a very early age. His aptitudes are almost unsuspected and we have to take advantage of that great sensitivity in emotional matters. We talk about it.
Giving thanks, a weapon of power in the child’s brain
Neuroscientists remind us that a child’s neural system is genetically programmed to “connect” with others. It is something magical and intense. Even the most routine activities such as feeding, bathing or dressing them become brain imprints that foreshadow in one way or another the emotional response that this child will have in the future.
The design of our brains, so to speak, makes us feel inexorably attracted in turn by other brains, by the interactions of all those around us. Thus, a child who is treated with respect and who from an early age has become accustomed to hearing the word “thank you” will quickly understand that they are facing positive reinforcement of great power and that they will undoubtedly unravel little by little.
It is very likely that a 3-year-old child who has been taught to say thank you, please, or good morning by his father and mother, does not yet understand very well the value of reciprocity and respect that these words permeate. However, all this creates a suitable and wonderful substrate for later strong and deep roots.
After all, the magical age between 2 and 7 years is what Piaget called the “stage of intuitive intelligence.” It is here where the little ones, despite being subordinate to the adult world, will gradually awaken to the sense of respect, to intuit that universe that goes beyond their own needs to discover empathy, the sense of justice and for of course, reciprocity.
It will be around 7 years when our children fully discover all these values that make up their social intelligence. It is that moment in which they begin to give more importance to friendship, to know what that affective responsibility implies, to understand and enjoy collaboration, attending to other people’s needs and interests different from their own.
It is undoubtedly a wonderful age where every adult must bear in mind an essential aspect: we must continue to be the best example for our children. Now, the magic question is the following … How do we instill in our children from an early age those rules of coexistence, respect and courtesy?
It is worth keeping in mind.
- Have you arrived or entered somewhere? Say hello, say good morning or good afternoon.
- You go? Say goodbye
- Did they do you a favor? Did they give you something? Give thanks.
- Have they spoken to you? Answer back.
- Are they talking to you? Listens.
- Have something? Share it.
- You do not have it? Do not envy.
- Do you have something that is not yours? Return it.
- Do you want them to do something for you? Ask for it please.
- You are wrong? Apologize.
Simple rules that, without a doubt, will be of great help to you on a day-to-day basis.
