The concepts

Respect for self, respect for others

Expressed one way or another, the idea of mutual respect is at the heart of safe and supportive school communities. Learning how to treat ourselves and others with fairness and dignity is a life long task. It involves learning to work together, to manage conflict, to be assertive, to value differences and to recognise discrimination. It also involves learning the language needed to talk reflectively about these things.

In the early years of schooling, children understand ideas best when they see concrete examples at work. Teachers helping students to think reflectively about ‘respect’ for example might explore how respect looks, feels and sounds through role play and modeling, art making, reading and writing, stories and conversations.

When a teacher guides a class to compile a practical list about 'respect in action' it might include some of the following:

Respect for others

Share and take turns
Use a friendly voice
No put downs, only build ups
Listen when someone talks to you

Self respect

It's good to be different
Don’t give in to bullying
Have-a-go
Talk to someone if you need to
Join in and have fun

A number of these skills and understandings can be explored through the Junior Chill Out activities and teaching ideas.

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