18 Rules of Coexistence to Teach Your Child

It is important that children learn the basic rules of coexistence from an early age, since they contribute to peace and harmony both in the family and with others.

Make sure you also apply these rules, and know how to instill them in your children correctly.

Why teach rules of coexistence to children?

These standards allow children to interact with others with respect. When they learn them, they’ll behave in a respectful and tolerant manner.

If there were no such rules, each person would act as he or she saw fit, and there would be no order.

Although many people in our society have stopped applying these rules, it is important to teach them to children. This way, they’ll grow up with a respectful and positive attitude.

Teaching these rules to your child will prevent them from growing insecure, lost and challenged. These rules help children find a balance between what they want and the needs of others.

In fact, some studies reveal that when the rules of coexistence are practiced by children, adults are happier.

10 main rules of coexistence

The rules of coexistence consist of respecting the rights of those around us. In addition, they help us accept that everyone has obligations to fulfill.

Although all are important, these 10 rules of coexistence are the first to be learned by children:

• Say please and thank you
• Don’t scream
• Greet people politely
• Ask and wait patiently for your turn to speak
• Treat those around you as you want to be treated: with respect and kindness
• Share with others
  

  

• Don’t physically or verbally mistreat others
• Be prompt when arriving somewhere
• Apologize when you make a mistake or hurt someone
• Respect the ideas of other people

Other rules of coexistence

In addition, you must teach values and principles during your child’s school and growth stages:

• Don’t demand things that aren’t necessary or within your parent‘s means.
• Listen carefully when others speak to you
• Help and respect the elderly
• Don’t lie
• Be responsible
• Respect others’ privacy
• Accept the consequences of your mistakes
• Respect and care for the environment in which you live, and make good use of natural resources

How to teach children the rules of coexistence

Without a doubt, the best way to teach children is to lead by example. For this reason, you must be the one to put the rules of coexistence into practice and instill them in your child.

Therefore, if your child sees you saying hello, apologizing, thanking and listening carefully, he or she will feel motivated to do so as well.

The following tips will help you teach your child to respect rules and manners in a simple and effective way.

• Start as soon as possible. Ideally you’ll instill these rules in your child from an early age. For example, from his first year of age, teach him to say “thank you” so it will be easier to practice as he grows up. In addition, even the smallest children will begin to imitate you.
• Take the time to teach him. Take every opportunity you have to teach your son good manners.
• Explain the importance of the rules. As your child grows up and has the ability to understand, explain why he should respect the rules and have good behavior.
• Praise and correct when necessary. Praise your child for his good behavior, as this will encourage him to continue to comply with the rules. On the contrary, when he doesn’t comply with the rules, correct him.
• Use games. Teach him by using fun games where he learns manners and can practice them. It is important to consider whether the game suits your child’s age.

Don’t hesitate to teach the rules of coexistence to your child, no matter how old he is.

This way, he’ll be a better person and will promote unity and harmony in society.