What Does Respect Sound Like? Teaching Tips for the Classroom

Respect Sounds Like: Positive Words in Motion

Respect is a big part of how we get along with others. It's something we show through our words and actions. For preschoolers, understanding what respect sounds like can help create a more positive classroom environment. Here are three practical tips for teaching respect, using felt board stories as fun and engaging tools.

Tip 1: Use Role-Playing Games

Role-playing is a fantastic way to teach children about respectful language. It allows them to practice polite words and phrases in a safe and supportive setting.

• Respect sounds like words that lift others up. Encourage kids to use phrases like "please," "thank you," and "I appreciate you."
• Use the Manners Matter felt set to create scenarios where children can act out different respectful interactions. For example, one child can be a shopkeeper while another is a customer, focusing on using polite and kind words.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 - Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

Tip 2: Storytelling to Illustrate Respect

Storytelling is a powerful tool to show children what respect looks and sounds like. Stories can help kids understand the importance of their actions and words. Make the lesson fun, and you've got a win!

• Respect sounds like listening carefully. Use activities from the Character Building Felt Board Stories preschool theme to demonstrate how felt characters show respect by listening, being kind to each other, and acting out emotions.
• Wrapping it up: After any of these good manner activities, discuss with your students how the characters showed respect and how they can apply the same behavior in their daily lives.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 - Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Tip 3: Create a Respect Circle

A Respect Circle is a simple yet effective activity where children can share positive experiences of being respected or showing respect.

• Respect sounds like everyone appreciating each other’s views. Use character building Be a Buddy felt set to start the circle with a short story about respecting others. Then, let each child share a time they felt respected or showed respect.
• This practice helps reinforce the importance of respect and allows children to learn from each other’s experiences. It also builds a supportive classroom community where respect is valued.

What Does Respect Sound Like?

Teaching respect in the classroom can be fun and engaging with the right tools. Respect sounds like words and actions that promote kindness and understanding. By using felt board stories and good manner activities, you can make learning about respect enjoyable for your students.

Be sure to visit our Character Building Felt Board Stories to add these wonderful tools to your teaching toolkit. They're a great way to help kids learn about respect in a fun and interactive way.

Remember, respect starts with us. Let's model and teach respectful behavior to create a more harmonious classroom.

Happy storytelling❣️
Adela O.

About the Author: Hey, Adela here. I'm passionate about creating engaging and educational content for preschoolers. As a mom of three, I've homeschooled my precious little ones (now semi-adults) and loved watching them absorb and learn both concrete and abstract concepts during those school years. ------ Now that I have more time, I'm dedicated to writing a bare-bones blog about the unsung hero of felt board stories. When I'm not writing, I'm cutting felts. When I'm not doing that, I'm creating memorable life stories with my family!

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