Children who do not know basic manners are labelled as uncultured and spoilt. Respecting elders is one of the basic manners which parents must teach their kids right from early childhood. Read on to find about things kids must learn about respecting elders.A common complain about kids these days is that they do not respect their elders. All the old people say that the kids are never taught how to respect the ones who are older than them. It is true to some extent.
Kids will not know what to do unless they are specifically taught about it. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their kids form a very young age that they must respect those that are elder to them. It is a very good habit to imbibe in your kids. It will help them in future.
As adults they must respect those that are older than them. If they cannot respect their adults they will definitely not respect anyone of their age. In turn they would not inspire respect in anyone either. They will be disregarded by their own juniors. There are some things kids need to be taught about respecting elders.
Pay Your Respects
It has become very rare these days that kids pay respects to their elders when they meet them. It is not just the kids, but their parents do not pay respects to the elders either. Kids learn from their parents and if the parents do show such
manners one cannot really blame the kids.
If your kid does not learn even from you then you must sit them down and explain. You must explain to them that whenever someone who is elder to them comes over to their house they must pay their respects. If they meet old parents, even their own
grandparents, they must pay respect to them. It is a sign that they respect their elders.
Be Deferential
Your kids must be taught how to behave in front of elders. Teach them that elders are different from you and their friends. You must explain to them properly that it is
bad manners to talk to elders the way they talk to their friends in school.
Children are often casual with their elders because they are not aware of the difference between them and others. Others might call the child bad mannered because of this. They should not even behave the way they behave with you.
When they meet any elder person, or any one comes to the house, they should behave well. They must pay their respects to the persons, address them properly and show their
best behaviour. They must not treat elders like play mates.
Manners
Children often get away with bad manners in front of other people. But old people are generally more conservative. They expect to be treated in a certain way. Even if your kid is small, they will expect a certain type of behaviour from them. If your child comes off as rude and
misbehaved, they will not hold them in a good light.
It is important that you teach your child to behave properly in front of elders. When elders are over they must let them sit in the best seat. They should pay their respects to them. They must address them deferentially. Children must know that they should give the elders first preference. Elders should eat first, elders should get the best portion, elders should be allowed to use the bathroom first, etc. These should be imbibed in your kid at an early age.
Help the Elders
Your kid must also be taught to help the elders. Helping them is a form of respect. They should help elders even if they are not related to them. If they find an old person trying to cross the street they must help them. They must be taught to offer seat to senior citizens and pregnant ladies first when they are travelling in a public transport. All these should come naturally to your child. It will help them grow into respectful adults.
The blessings and good wishes of the old are precious. If the elders love your child, they will benefit in life.
How to teach children to respect elders? Why is it important to teach children to respect elders? What are the ways to prevent disrespectful behaviour in children? Discuss here. 
