Batang Magalang: 5 Ways to Practice Politeness
Just like habits, good manners are taught and practiced repeatedly for them to be truly ingrained in our system. They rarely come naturally for kids. That’s why it’s important that they grow up understanding the reasons why they should behave on certain situations. Politeness is a trait that encompasses admirable behaviors like being courteous in words and deeds, expressing gratitude, and demonstrating empathy. And like other positive traits, we can teach politeness through example. Here are tips on how you and your kids can practice politeness on a daily basis.
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Say hello!
Start with saying “hi!” or “hello!” when you meet new people or whenever you see someone you interact almost every day like your neighbors, the school guard, and the lunch ladies. This is a small gesture that instantly makes you come off polite and friendly. Here’s a Musikantahan song to get you started!
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Don’t forget the ‘magic words’
Learning to use the magic words, ‘sorry’, ‘please’, and ‘thank you’ can make a big difference on one’s daily interactions. Watch and sing along with this Musikantahan for examples on how you can use these magic words.
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Be mindful of how others feel.
We all have our own beliefs and preferences that’s why it’s important that we learn to understand and respect this. Kids may find this confusing but we must be able to explain how sometimes, things will not go their way or that they may not always agree with the people around them. And when this happens, there is a proper and respectful way to handle the situation. Watch this story of Pipo and Tingting from ATBP!
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Use “po” and “opo”.
The use of “po” and “opo” in your sentences is a unique way for Filipinos to show respect especially to elders or people in authority. It is usually taught alongside “pagmamano” or touching your forehead at the back of the hand of your elder as a sign of courtesy. This just shows how much we, Filipinos value showing respect to others. Here’s a story from ATBP to demonstrate this!
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Respect everyone regardless of age and status.
Showing respect to elders is something that Filipino families value. However, it should not end here. That same respect should also be given to people around us regardless of their age or status in life. This teaches kids to treat everyone nicely despite the differences they may have with other people. Here’s a short story from ATBP that you can watch together with your kids!
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